KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It may feel a little bit like revisionist history, but Aurélien Collin’s red card against New England last weekend is officially no more.
After manager Peter Vermes appealed the on-field decision earlier this week, the MLS Disciplinary Committee announced Wednesday that the mandatory one-game suspension resulting from the red card would be rescinded. Collin will be available this weekend against New York Red Bulls, and Birahim Diop will not face any disciplinary action as a result of his role in the incident.
“I’m very happy at the end they sorted it out,” Collin said. “It’s very honest, and I’m grateful to them. It’s very rare that something like that happens.”
Collin was given the red by match referee Edvin Jurisevic after colliding with Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis while challenging for a corner kick. Both players went down hard, and Reis’ teammates rushed to his defense. During the ensuing scrum, Benny Feilhaber fell to the ground after contact from Diop and Collin was ejected.
“I appreciate that the referee admitted that it was an error in judgment because he didn’t have the best line to see it, and it was off the reaction of the player,” Vermes said. “I like the fact that there was a process, and there is no doubt in my mind that it was the correct decision on the situation. It’s a step in the right direction.”
All in all, it’s a small victory for a club looking for a little bit of good fortune after and an up-and-down start.
Collin, playing in his first game with Sporting, was expected to add bite and athleticism to Kansas City’s back line and showed glimpses of his talent in 75 minutes against the Revolution before being dismissed and watching the Revs win the game 3-2 on a late header. That loss left Sporting KC at 1-3-1 and last in the Eastern Conference with five road games remaining in their season-opening road trip.
“I was very sad at the end of the game because the referee gave me a red card and we were 10 against 11,” Collin said. “It’s part of the game. Everybody makes mistakes. This is life.”
Collin said he was surprised to be surrounded by New England players after being tangled up with Reis and simply stood up to take account of the situation. After that, he said he wasn’t sure about the specific chain of events that led to his dismissal other than the fact that he didn’t do anything to deserve his fate.
"I had my hands behind my back to make it clear that I couldn’t push anybody and they had to respect me,” Collin said. “I saw the referee give me a red card, and I didn’t know why. Apparently, I didn’t do anything.”
