So hot from the MLS league offices comes the latest in things that make me scratch my head:
Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee Fines and Suspends Real Salt Lake Midfielder Javier Morales
NEW YORK (September 13, 2010) - The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee today issued a fine and one-game suspension to Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales for actions taken against Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Osvaldo Alonso in the Salt Lake versus Seattle game on Saturday, September 11th.
The unsportsmanlike action which endangered the safety of his opponent was not seen by the officiating crew and Morales did not receive any discipline during the match. After reviewing the incident, the MLS Disciplinary Committee decided that the action constituted a red card offense and Morales should be suspended for one game and fined $250. Morales will serve his suspension during Salt Lake's next League game on September 18th against the Chicago Fire.
Fines collected are donated to MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS W.O.R.K.S. seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport. For more information visit the website at www.MLSsoccer.com/works.
So I am wondering if they are going to do things like this, why didn't they go back and review the horrible calls in the RSL vs. Houston match that gave them PK attempts while greater fouls in the area committed against RSL resulted in no call? or how about that horrible call of taking Will Johnson's goal off the score board against the Crew? I mean where is the line drawn? Is there a punishment for the officiating crew for missing something that is now deemed to have been "red card" worthy?
I guess I am just a bit confused about what is re-viewable and why, clearly a missed "red card" offense needs to be addressed but if the league can use replay and review of these non-calls, then why would then not correct clear mistakes that are made in other area's of the match? Is there further review of the original foul by Alonso, or only of the retaliation by Javier Morales?
The shame of it is that RSL will be missing a key player in a huge match as they fight for the top spot in the Western Conference and keep themselves in the race for the Supporters' Shield. It was a stupid move by Javier to put him self at risk, but I am left wondering who at MLS makes these decisions on what is and isn't reviewed? Just in looking at a photo of the "foul in question" on the MLS Site and other pictures from the night only adds to my confusion.
OFF MY SOAPBOX