Major League Soccer's Independent Review Panel has rescinded the fine and one-game suspension for the red card issued to Columbus Crew midfielder Ethan Finlay in the 60th minute of the Crew's 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution on Sunday (VIDEO ABOVE).
Finlay's leg made contact with Bobby Shuttleworth as the Revs goalkeeper dived at his feet to claim a through ball, and was shown a straight red by referee Armando Villarreal. The decision drew strong criticism from Columbus manager Gregg Berhalter after the match.
"I don't think he meant to do it," Shuttleworth said after the match, which sent New England on to the Eastern Conference Championship by a 7-3 aggregate score. "He came up to me after and he was apologizing several times. I don't have any problem with it. He was trying to go for the ball and I don't think there's any intent there."
After Columbus submitted an appeal for review of the play, their appeal was unanimously upheld by the Independent Review Panel. The panel consists of one representative from the U.S. Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and Professional Referees Organization (PRO).
For more on the red card review process, click here.
