Redskins suspend Haynesworth

ASHBURN, Va., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth has been suspended without pay for the rest of the season by the Washington Redskins, the team said Tuesday.

The Redskins issued a release charging Haynesworth, who signed a seven-year, $100 million contract with the team in 2009, with "conduct detrimental to the club."

Haynesworth has been unhappy with the Redskins since Mike Shanahan was hired as the team's coach last January and instituted a new defensive scheme. Haynesworth was late to report to training camp and has appeared in eight of Washington's games this season.

"Despite the club's numerous attempts to persuade Albert Haynesworth to abide by the terms of his contract, he has repeatedly refused to cooperate with our coaching staff in a variety of ways over an extended period of time," Shanahan said in a statement. "Among other things, he has consistently indicated to our defensive coaches that he refuses to play in our base defense or on first-down or second-down nickel situations. He has also refused to follow the instructions of our coaches both during weekly practices and during actual games as well.

"Yesterday, when Albert was at Redskin Park, he told our general manager Bruce Allen that he (Haynesworth) would no longer speak with me," Shanahan's statement continued. "Although suspending any player is not a decision that a head coach enters into lightly, I believe the situation has reached the point where the club clearly has no alternative."