Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber today suspended Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark nine MLS games and fined him $10,000 for violent conduct directed toward Carlos Ruiz in the 89th minute of Houston's game versus FC Dallas on Sunday, Sept. 30.
"I have decided that it is necessary to take firm action to reflect the fact that Ricardo Clark's violent kick to Carlos Ruiz in last weekend's game against FC Dallas, while out of character, is unacceptable behavior from an MLS player," said Garber. "In taking this action, Major League Soccer is sending a signal that it will not accept reckless and dangerous behavior on its fields. If there is a repeat of this kind of behavior by any MLS player, even firmer sanctions can be expected in the future.
"I hope and believe that Ricardo Clark will reflect on and learn from his mistake and become a better professional as a result."
The suspension and fine levied to Clark includes the automatic one-game suspension and $250 fine for a red card offense. Clark will serve the nine-game suspension throughout the remainder of the 2007 regular season, MLS Cup playoffs and into the 2008 Regular Season until the nine MLS games are complete.
During the period of the suspension, Clark will in addition not be permitted to play in any exhibition games for his MLS team where admission is charged. His suspension shall not prohibit him, however, from participating in sanctioned international competitions such as the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
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As one of the League's official Charities of Choice, the US Soccer Foundation is the recipient of all player fines at the end of each season. Those fines are added to the Foundation's Annual Grants Pool from which the Board of Directors awards grants to soccer clubs and organizations that serve economically disadvantaged children in urban areas. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org.
