The MLS Disciplinary Committee has rendered a decision in the incident that occurred near the conclusion of the match between the MetroStars and Tampa Bay Mutiny on Saturday, April 21, 2001. In reaching its decision, the Disciplinary Committee consulted with a technical panel consisting of an ex-professional player, an ex-professional coach and an ex-referee. The Challenge While the video evidence is inconclusive as to whether Tampa Bay forward Mamadou Diallo made contact with MetroStars defender Mike Petke in the challenge that earned Diallo a red card from referee Kevin Stott, the Disciplinary Committee concludes that, in the context of the game, the challenge was made with reckless disregard for Petke’s safety. A report from the trainer indicates that Petke did suffer an injury as a result of the play. Given the context of the game, including the fact that Diallo had just been dispossessed and all other circumstances, the Disciplinary Committee, in addition to the automatic one-game suspension and applicable $250 fine associated with the red card issued by referee Stott, hereby suspends Diallo for an additional game and fines him an additional $500 for the challenge. The resulting two-game suspension shall take place over the Mutiny’s next two games (April 28 vs. Chicago and May 5 @ Chicago). The referee should be commended on immediately issuing a red card and correctly concluding that the challenge constituted “serious foul play” under the rules of the Game as it “endangered the safety of an opponent.” It should be noted that making contact with the ball does not negate the serious endangerment and that contact with a player is not necessary for a foul as the law reads ” kicks or attempts to kick, trips or attempts to trip, strikes or attempts to strike.” The Immediate Aftermath of the Challenge Unfortunately, despite the referee’s quick and appropriate action, various events occurred after the issuance of the red card to Diallo, none of which could be seen and evaluated by the referee in the melee. As a consequence, the Disciplinary Committee has issued the following disciplinary actions: 1. Petke shall be fined $250 for his aggressive and confrontational retaliation to the challenge, which was unnecessary and inappropriate. 2. Diallo shall be fined an additional $250 (in addition to the $750 for the challenge) for his actions in pushing MetroStars defender Steve Jolley in the face with the flat of his hand. 3. Jolley shall be fined $250 for his unnecessary and aggressive confrontational behavior, and his subsequent embellishment of injury, which provoked the further actions of Tim Howard of the MetroStars. 4. Howard shall be fined $250 for his actions in pushing Diallo in the face with the flat of his hand. None of the above actions are justifiable reactions in any circumstances, but are particularly unacceptable in light of the referee’s immediate and appropriate action in issuing the red card. Public Commentary In the locker room following the incident, Mike Petke made an implicit threat against Diallo’s safety. This is not conduct becoming of a professional athlete or acceptable as an MLS employee. Petke went on to state his prognostication that Diallo was being protected by MLS officials, a particularly incomprehensible conclusion in light of the referee’s actions. Petke has been warned about this kind of behavior in the past by the Disciplinary Committee. The Disciplinary Committee therefore fines Mike Petke an additional $500 (in addition to the $250 fine for his conduct on the field in the aftermath of the incident). Alvarez/Valderrama The Discipline Committee also reviewed the challenge by MetroStars midfielder Pedro Alvarez on Tampa Bay midfielder Carlos Valderrama, which led to Alvarez’s ejection for a second yellow card and to the issuance of a yellow card to Carlos Valderrama. Again, the Disciplinary Committee commends the referee for correctly issuing a second yellow card to Alvarez. Unlike the actions reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee following the Diallo challenge, the aftermath of the Alvarez challenge was directly and fully observed by the referee who made a decision to issue a yellow card to Valderrama for retaliation. The Disciplinary Committee is reluctant to intervene in any decision made by a referee on the field where he clearly observes the incident and makes a decision on the spot. Accordingly, the Disciplinary Committee decided not to take any further action against Valderrama over and above the issuance of the yellow card. Nevertheless, the Disciplinary Committee shall issue a written warning to Valderrama concerning his actions.