The Maui News

Vizquel denies wife’s allegation­s of abuse

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Longtime major league shortstop Omar Vizquel denied accusation­s of domestic abuse made by his wife after she described two alleged acts of physical violence by the 11time Gold Glove winner in a story published Wednesday by The Athletic.

Blanca Vizquel, 36, said her 53-year-old husband first assaulted her in 2011, three years before they married, and again in 2016. She described another heated dispute with him last August, which she said prompted her to leave him and file for divorce. She also spoke of the allegation­s in a video on her Instagram posted Oct. 7, saying in Spanish that “no one deserves to have violence against them.”

Omar Vizquel said in a statement on Twitter that he cheated on Blanca and apologized for the “pain my indiscreti­ons may have caused,” but he denied ever abusing her.

“Let me be clear and unequivoca­l,” he said. “I have never hit or been violent towards my wife, Blanca. Any accusation to the contrary is false.”

Vizquel was taken into police custody in Sammamish, Wash., in 2016 after an incident at the couple’s home, The Athletic said. Blanca Vizquel told police her husband pushed her over, injuring her shin and breaking several finger nails. She later asked prosecutor­s to drop charges against her husband, but she told The Athletic she did so only after Omar Vizquel threatened her with financial repercussi­ons.

Blanca Vizquel also described a 2011 incident when

Omar Vizquel allegedly strangled her.

 ?? AP file photo ?? Omar Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove winner, has denied accusation­s of domestic abuse made by his wife.
AP file photo Omar Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove winner, has denied accusation­s of domestic abuse made by his wife.

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