The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee today issued suspensions and fines for five players involved in incidents during the Western Conference Semifinals series. Additionally, New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol was fined for public criticism of league officials.
FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala was suspended six games and fined $3,500 for violent conduct following his club's loss to the Colorado Rapids in the MLS Western Conference Semifinal series on Oct. 28. MLS also fined Rapids defender Mike Petke $500 for his involvement in the post game incident.
Juan Pablo Garcia was suspended two games and fined $2,000 for a serious foul play on Houston forward Brad Davis after the final whistle had blown in Chivas USA's loss to the Houston Dynamo on Oct. 29. Houston midfielder Ricardo Clark was fined a total of $500 for lack of respect for the game. Clark received a caution during the game that carries an automatic $100 fine. After reviewing the incident, the disciplinary committee fined Clark an additional $400 for the nature of his conduct. Chivas USA defender Claudio Suarez was fined $750 for lack of respect for the game for his involvement in the post-game incident. The suspensions will carry over to the 2007 MLS regular season.
Nicol, the Revolution's head coach, was fined $2,000 for public criticism of league officials. Nicol's comments appeared in a story in the Oct. 27 edition of the Boston Globe.
Under the terms of the CBA agreement, the Players Union may submit an appeal to the Commissioner for any discipline imposed as a result of an on-field incident resulting in a fine $750 or higher and/or a suspension of two games or more. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Commissioner will designate a time and a place for a hearing to be held as soon as practicable following receipt by the League of the Union's notice of appeal. A suspension shall not be postponed pending appeal.
