Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco was criticized by Canadian Football League players after suggesting that sharing BMO Field with the Toronto Argonauts led to his cramping issues in the MLS playoffs.
Giovinco did not finish three of Toronto FC's four home games in the playoffs, including Saturday's MLS Cup final against the Seattle Sounders that went to extra time.
After extensive renovations, BMO Field was used by both Toronto FC and the CFL's Argonauts for the first time in 2016. It also hosted the Grey Cup, the CFL's equivalent of the Super Bowl, on Nov. 27 in the midst of the MLS playoffs.
And speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Giovinco blamed changes in the pitch for his recurring leg problem late in the season.
"Considering that last year I had a great winning streak and great games all on the home field, maybe the only factor that may have contributed somehow and changed since last year [is that] another team was playing in BMO Field," he said.
However, Giovinco's explanation did not impress CFL players, many of whom spoke out against the Italian playmaker on social media.
#Giovinco, both my hamstrings would have to cramp off the bone before I took myself out the chamapionship game #CutFromDifferentCloth
- Matt Black (@MattBlack39) December 13, 2016
Heard crying & being out in these Toronto streets causes dehydration too...��#cramps #giovanco #argos #tfc
- Ricky Foley (@Foley4Real) December 13, 2016
What's really funny is that I'm a TFC fan & soccer was my first sport... it's not a #argos vs #tfc thing...It's a stop making excuses thing
- Ricky Foley (@Foley4Real) December 14, 2016
That's some serious mental weakness...dude needs some help. https://t.co/tpPJwQsl53
- Rob Bagg (@R_Bagg6) December 13, 2016
Haha wow softer than baby ish! https://t.co/J865pmqVCo
- Wayne Smith (@WayneSmith52) December 13, 2016
Toronto FC president Bill Manning confirmed that the field was not up to par in recent weeks, and had discussed the issue with Giovinco.
"Look, the field wasn't ideal. It was Dec. 10. We had the Grey Cup. It was very sandy," Manning said.
"We talked about it yesterday with him. The ball didn't bounce sometimes the way it [normally] would for him, and he's the kind of guy that relies on fractions of a second and how a ball bounces."
Though MLS teams have moved to open their own stadiums in recent years, the Sounders and New England Revolution still share their fields with NFL teams, while New York City FC plays at Yankee Stadium.
When they begin play next season, Atlanta United will also share a stadium with the NFL's Falcons, while Minnesota United will play at the University of Minnesota's football stadium until 2018.
Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said he expects the condition of BMO Field to improve next season.
"This was the first year that we had a shared field and we're committed to do whatever we can to ensure it's satisfactory -- or more than just satisfactory -- for the players and especially for players of [Giovinco's] quality."