Hackensack Councilman Stepping Down After Soccer Game Scandal

The Hackensack councilman who refused to apologize to a club coach after making derogatory racial comments about him and slamming his goalkeeper during a game will be stepping down.

In an email to Daily Voice on Friday, Oct. 11, Leo Battaglia — who was elected in 2013 — said he feels he has no other choice but to resign from the city council.

"This evening, I, Councilman Leo Battaglia, along with two individuals who participated in the conversation that took place on Monday, September 16th, visited the homes of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor," Battaglia said. "This was an opportunity to provide them with our firsthand account of the events and clarify what transpired.

"I am pleased to share that they now understand and believe my account. However, due to pressure from the African American community and political opponents, they have decided not to support me going forward and have folded under that pressure.

"As a result, I feel I have no choice but to step down from my position as councilman, with the effective date to be determined later."

Battaglia immigrated to Hackensack from Ecuador and was integral in the city's soccer community, having founded Hackensack's youth soccer program and was integral in bringing the sports dome to Johnson Park.

Battaglia said the effective date for his resignation has yet to be determined.