The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Efraín Juárez an additional two games (three games total) and issued an additional undisclosed fine for aggressive behavior toward a match official during the 77th minute of Vancouver’s match against Seattle Sounders FC on July 21.
Juárez, who originally received a red card for his actions, will serve his red card suspension during the Whitecaps FC match against Minnesota United FC on July 28. The midfielder will serve his additional two-game suspension during Vancouver’s next MLS regular season matches on August 4 against New York City FC and on August 11 against Portland Timbers.
ADDITIONAL MLS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE RULINGS
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued Orlando City SC midfielder Cristian Higuita an undisclosed fine for simulation/embellishment in the 64th minute of Orlando’s match against New York City FC July 26.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued an undisclosed fine to Houston Dynamo midfielder Tomás Martínez for failure to leave the field in a timely and orderly manner during the 59th minute of Houston’s match against the Philadelphia Union on July 25.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has found Columbus Crew SC midfielder Niko Hansen in violation of the League’s policy regarding hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent. Hansen has been issued an undisclosed fine for his action in the 24th minute of Crew SC’s match against Orlando City SC on July 21.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has found both Columbus Crew SC and Orlando City SC in violation of the Mass Confrontation Policy during the 24th minute and 94th minute of the teams’ match on July 21. Orlando City SC has been issued an undisclosed fine to for the club’s second violation of League policy this season, while head coach James O’Connor has been issued an official warning for his first violation. Crew SC has been issued a warning for the club’s first violation of the League’s policy this season.
In addition, the MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued undisclosed fines to Crew SC goalkeeper Zack Steffen, Orlando City SC goalkeeper Joe Bendik, and Orlando City SC midfielder Oriol Rosell for instigating and escalating a mass confrontation during the 94th minute of the teams’ match on July 21.
INDEPENDENT PANEL DECISION
The Independent Panel, consisting of one representative from the United States Soccer Federation, one representative from the Canadian Soccer Association, and one representative nominated from the Professional Referee Organization, has unanimously rescinded the one-game suspension and accompanying fine for the red card issued to Houston Dynamo midfielder Tomás Martínez for serious foul play in the 59th minute of the Dynamo’s match against Philadelphia Union on July 25.
As a result of the Houston Dynamo appeal, Martínez is eligible to play in the Dynamo’s next regular season game on Saturday against the Portland Timbers.
Each Club is entitled to two unsuccessful appeals per season, including playoffs. Since Houston’s appeal was successful, the team maintains its two unsuccessful appeals for any future dismissals in the 2018 season.
