An independent panel consisting of one representative from the U.S. Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association, and Professional Referees Organization (PRO) denied appeals from the Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo of red cards to Jeff Larentowicz and Brad Davis, respectively.
The panel was not unanimous that the referee incorrectly identified the offense or that the sanction applied was incorrect in either case.
The Fire and MLS filed an appeal for review of the red card issued to Larentowicz in the 63rd minute of the April 27 game against Montreal Impact (WATCH IT HERE). The referee ruled that Larentowicz denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
Houston and MLS filed an appeal for review of the red card issued to Davis in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time of the April 28 game against the Colorado Rapids (WATCH IT HERE). The referee ruled that Davis committed serious foul play.
The panel did not consider either appeal to be frivolous.
In order for an automatic one-game suspension to be overturned, the panel must be unanimous that the red card decision by the referee was an obvious error.
