So we all know that Charlie dived, heck everyone including his teammates know it and now for the first time I can remember Major League Soccer is admitting that they know it:
MLS Disciplinary Committee Fines Davies
NEW YORK (June 24, 2011) - The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee today fined D.C. United forward Charlie Davies $1,000 for putting the game into disrepute in the 83rd minute of the match against Real Salt Lake on June 18. (click here to view the play)
"The MLS Disciplinary Committee ruled that Charlie Davies intentionally deceived the officials and gained an unfair advantage which directly impacted the match," MLS Executive Vice President Nelson Rodriguez said. "This type of behavior tarnishes the image of the League, is detrimental to the game and will not be tolerated."
Prior to this season, MLS players and coaches expressed to the League office that they wanted to see a decrease in diving, embellishment and other simulation intended to deceive the officials. This information was included in MLS' points of emphasis and reviewed with all clubs during preseason.
"Moving forward, all instances of behavior that serves to deceive and that directly impact the game will be subject to severe discipline, including a fine, suspension or both," Rodriguez added.
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.
Is it enough, not really they are clearly saying that he dove and that it resulted in the PK call, which cost RSL 2 points in the standings. I would have loved to see them suspend him for a match or three but that wasn't going to happen, I mean they have played up his story all year and so why would they actually punish a guy they want everyone to be cheering for? Honestly, $1,000 is nothing to a guy who is going to make $244,870 this year, it isn't even 1/2 of 1 percent of his income.
So the message sent, is if everyone voices outrage at what you do, and we know if we don't do anything that we will look bad, so we will do the very least we can do in order to look like we are doing something. Doubt highly this will prevent the next guy from doing the same thing.
Yes this is the reason why it comes out after 5pm ET on a Friday, to sneak under the media radar. Well Done MLS.
OFF MY SOAPBOX