NEW YORK - The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee today fined Columbus Crew forward Andy Herron $3,000 and suspended him four games for violent conduct. New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph was fined $500 for lack of respect for the game. The disciplinary committee also suspended Chivas USA defender Sacha Kljestan two games and fined him $1,000 for a serious foul play.
Herron was involved in an incident with Revolution defender Jay Heaps in the Crew's 2-2 tie versus New England on Thursday, April 19. The officials on the field did not see Herron's blow to Heaps. In such a case, the disciplinary committee will review the video evidence and may impose discipline. Having reviewed the video evidence, in the judgment of the committee, the elbow by Herron to Heaps was a deliberate and dangerous act, committed away from any play on the ball. During meetings in the pre-season, League officials, with the approval of player representatives, indicated their intention to continue firmly to address unacceptable and dangerous blows to the head - particularly blows that do not occur away from the ball. Therefore, the committee is suspending Herron for four MLS regular season games and fining him $3,000.
Following the incident involving Herron and Heaps, a video review by the committee showed that Joseph pushes Herron in the face - also unseen by the officials. While this shove was not dangerous or likely to injure, it is unacceptable behavior and Joseph is therefore being fined $500.
Kljestan fouled Real Salt Lake forward Andy Williams in the second half of Chivas USA's 4-0 win on Saturday, April 21 and received a yellow card.
In cases when the referee sees a play on the field and exercises his judgment not to issue a red card, the committee will not act unless it determines that: a) a consequent injury occurred and b) it was an unequivocal red card offense and c) the offense was egregious or that extraordinary circumstances exist.
In the Kljestan incident, although the referee saw the incident and exercised his on-field judgment not to award a red card, a serious injury to Williams resulted. In this circumstance, the committee reviewed the play and concluded that the challenge was an unequivocal red card offense and egregious. Therefore, the committee decided to suspend Kljestan two MLS Regular Season games and fine him $1,000.
The committee will continue to monitor this player safety issue and will take firm action in the future as necessary.
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