NEW YORK (August 29, 2007) - The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee today fined Chivas USA defender Alex Zotinca $1,250 and suspended him three games for violent conduct. Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Kevin Harmse was fined $250 for lack of respect for the game.
Both Zotinca and Harmse were issued red cards during added time of the first half in the Los Angeles Galaxy versus Chivas USA match on Thursday, Aug. 23. A red card carries an automatic one-game suspension and $250 fine.
After further review of the incident, the Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee decided that the actions of each player warranted further sanctions. Therefore, due to the violent nature of his actions, Zotinca received an additional three-game suspension and $1,250 fine. Harmse was fined an additional $250 for his actions during the incident.
Harmse's one game suspension for the red card was served on Aug. 26 in the Galaxy's 3-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids. Zotinca served his red card suspension on Aug. 26 in Chivas USA's 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake. He will miss three additional games - Sept. 6 (D.C. United), Sept. 9 (New York Red Bulls) and Sept. 13 (Los Angeles Galaxy).
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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.
