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WNY Flash player McCall Zerboni was chargedwith DWI early Thursday morning. Zerboni’s blood alcohol content was 0.15 percent – nearly double the legal limit. A court hearing is scheduled to occur on November 3.

Put simply, it’s an unprecedented situation for WPS. In 2003, former Chicago Red Stars defender Natalie Spilger – then a senior at Stanford – was charged with a misdemeanor for interfering with arrest. However, this is the first time an active WPS player has found herself in legal trouble of this magnitude.

The Flash swiftly addressed the arrest, posting this statement on the team’s website.

The WNY Flash has been informed that on 10/12/11 midfielder McCall Zerboni was charged by the NYS Police with a DWI. As per company and team policy, the Flash provides assistance to all employees who encounter personal problems of this nature. Company and team policy also precludes any further comment on this personnel matter.

The Players Union also issued this release.

The WPS Players Union is concerned when any player has an interaction with law enforcement, but we believe there should not be a rush to judgment. Everyone, even a professional athlete, has a right to due process. The union will respond to any questions raised by the league or club about our players but we will do so in a manner that is consistent with a respect for confidentiality and privacy rights.

Zerboni is expected to release her own statement today.

The 24-year-old recently re-signed with the Flash after having a distinguished season with the 2011 WPS champions. Known for her versatility and utility, Zerboni scored four goals and had three assists on the year. She was named Player of the Week in Week 6 after notching a brace and an assist in a 3-2 win against the Boston Breakers.

Zerboni’s off-the-field contributions are noteworthy as well. From all accounts, she was held in high regard by the Atlanta Beat organization and fan base when she was a member of the team in 2010. The same could be said about her time in Rochester this past season.

For proof, take a look at the team’s Twitter account. She’s mentioned in nine of the 14 tweets the Flash have sent this month alone. The tweets regard her blog posts, radio spots, and public appearances. She may not be among the Flash’s array of marquee names, but she’s clearly a well-liked and well-publicized figure. In fact, there’s a rumor on Tumblr that claims Zerboni was actually at a public event for the Flash before she was pulled offer and cited for DWI.

There are possible parallels in other women’s sports leagues. In July 2009, WNBA star Diana Taurasi was charged with extreme DUI after her blood alcohol content was recorded at 0.17 percent – well above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Mechelle Voepel called for the WNBA to “take as harsh a stance as its guidelines allow in terms of punishment.” On top of the public ignominy, the league suspended Taurasi without pay for two games.

WPS – led by newly-appointed CEO Jennifer O’Sullivan – could choose to uphold a certain moral authority and come down hard on Zerboni with suspensions, pay cuts, a verbal reprimanding, etc. On the other hand, the league might also decide to let the punishment doled out by the legal system suffice.

It’s unclear whether WPS even has the right to impose sanctions, considering this is an off-season, off-the-field matter. A source reveals that the standard player contract has a provision relating to player conduct (“… standards of honesty, morality, fair-play and sportsmanship…“), but it does not apply to this type of circumstance.

It goes without saying that this was a personal failing of Zerboni’s. It’s also a private failing, and should be dealt with as such. In some matters, intervention is needed, not further chastisement. It’s good to see that the Flash are seemingly approaching the situation with the former in mind.

There’s an obvious lesson here, and perhaps Zerboni has already learned it. Her mug shot says it all.

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