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MLS hands out 4-game suspension
The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee today suspended Chivas USA midfielder Marcos Mondaini for his tackle on Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales in the 38th minute of the game on May 7.
Mondaini received a red card for the challenge, which resulted in Morales suffering two broken bones and torn ligaments in his left ankle.
The Disciplinary Committee determined that Mondaini’s tackle was reckless and endangered the safety of his opponent. Mondaini will be suspended for a total of four games and fined a total of $1,500, including the automatic one-game suspension and $250 fine for receiving a red card.
This comes after the league gave Colorado Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan a 10 game suspension for a hard tackle that broke Steve Zakuani’s leg.
While I can’t fault the league for wanting to take action to protect players, I have to question the severity of Mondaini’s penalty relative to Mullan’s.
Mullan made the tackle from the side in the run of play. He may have been angered over a previous non-call on a foul, but he did at least make a play on the ball.
Mondaini made no attempt at the ball. He came from behind with a tackle designed entirely to injure Morales. It was a move to take out Salt Lake’s playmaker, and it worked.
If the league hoped to make a statement with Mullan’s suspension, it took a terrible step backward today.
Wow…seems like the season for broken bones.
I can’t believe Mondaini!Where is the class in that act? It kinda shocked me
Yes, it’s quite the embarrassing rash of injuries.
It’s hard to reconcile that tackle with Mullan’s tackle.
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