Fired Cardinals offensive line coach  Sean Kugler files for arbitration after groping claim

Fired Arizona Cardinals offensive line coach Sean Kugler is blaming a possible 'miscommunication or mistaken identity' for the groping allegation that led to his dismissal last month.

Kugler was fired before the Cardinals' Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City after he was accused of groping a woman in the Mexican Capital.

Now he has retained a law firm for an arbitration hearing on his behalf as he continues to deny the allegations against him.

'The allegations against Coach Kugler are simply untrue and have caused Sean, his wife and family enormous personal and professional damage,' attorney Michael Petitti said in a statement. 'Coach and his family have been desperate to understand from the Cardinals front office and others what rationale or evidence was used to terminate him for cause.'

The Cardinals have been accused by Kugler's legal team of firing him without an interview or 'extensive review.'

Kugler has also released his own statement, insisting that he has always respected women.

'Respecting women is a core value for me, and something I have instilled in my children and the players that I coach,' Kugler said. 'The mysterious allegations by the Cardinals are untrue, and I want to clear my name. Be it a miscommunication or mistaken identity, my family and I will cooperate fully and honestly with the NFL, Cardinals, or any other agency to get to the truth in this matter and restore my reputation.'

Mexican authorities were told of the alleged incident before alerting the Cardinals, who then fired Kugler, who returned to Arizona before the game.

The allegation is just another in a series of negative stories surrounding the 5-9 Cardinals.

Quarterback Kyler Murray, who signed a five-year, $230 million contract with team before the season, recently suffered a season-ending knee surgery before team general manager Steve Keim took a leave of absence for health-related reasons.