Major League Soccer has fined FC Dallas $75,000 of General Allocation Money and $25,000 for a roster violation during the Week 30 match against Orlando City SC on September 30.
Prior to the match, FC Dallas listed Michael Barrios in the club’s starting lineup as part of the official matchday roster which is submitted 60 minutes before kickoff. A player who is removed from the official match roster’s starting lineup within 60 minutes prior to kickoff may not participate in the match, with the exception of the goalkeeper.
Fifteen minutes prior to kickoff, FC Dallas requested Barrios be moved to the list of substitutes and Tesho Akindele moved from the list of substitutes to the starting lineup. The referee crew incorrectly allowed the change to occur and notified Orlando City SC of the change to the official matchday roster prior to the match.
Based on the change to the matchday roster, Dallas wrongly believed that Barrios could participate in the match as a substitute. Barrios entered the game in the 84th minute, replacing Maxi Urruti.
“The referee crew’s administrative error and decision to place Michael Barrios on the official match roster was carefully considered while making the decision to sanction FC Dallas for this rule violation,” said MLS Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott. “However, all of our clubs are aware of game day roster rules and FC Dallas should have removed Barrios from the official match roster.”
FIFA delegates management of roster rules and sanctions for violations to the respective leagues throughout the world. There is no international rule for changes to a matchday roster.
FC Dallas issued the following statement after the league's announcement:
We are in receipt of Major League Soccer’s ruling today.
Prior to FC Dallas’ match against Orlando City SC, FCD technical director Fernando Clavijo sought clarification from the matchday officials regarding the number of substitutes Dallas would have available during the match after Michael Barrios was removed from the Starting XI. The referee crew’s administrative error led to the misinterpretation of MLS rules.
FC Dallas is battling for a playoff spot. Our sole focus is on the final three games left in the regular season and qualifying for the playoffs, starting with our match in Colorado on Saturday.
We won’t have any further comment at this time.
