Major League Soccer’s Disciplinary Committee has suspended Tampa Bay Mutiny forward Mamadou Diallo for three league games and fined him $5,000 after reviewing an incident that took place between Diallo and a fan following the teamÆs game against the Colorado Rapids on May 12, 2001 at Mile High Stadium. In its extensive review of the incident, the Committee examined video evidence of the incident and interviewed Diallo, the fan involved, and various other players and officials who were present. The evidence led the Committee to conclude the following: 1. That, following the game, Diallo was in a state of agitation and encroached upon the referees’ “secure area” to dissent (an action for which he has previously been assessed four penalty points, as announced earlier this week). 2. That Diallo was escorted from the field by Tampa Bay Mutiny head coach Alfonso Mondelo and assistant coach Perry Van Der Beck in a continued state of agitation. 3. That, in response to a comment from a member of the crowd, Diallo broke free from Mondelo and Van Der Beck and leapt to attempt to take hold of a fan. 4. That little or no contact was made with the fan, who suffered a slight scratch to his left hand as a result of the incident. 5. That Diallo was restrained and led away by Mondelo and Van Der Beck. There is differing evidence as to the nature of the comments made and doubt as to whether the fan in question was the source of the comments heard by Diallo. Regardless of the nature of the comments, the committee decided there is no justification for a player attempting to physically confront a customer in response to comments. MLS does not, and cannot, condone such actions by an MLS employee in any circumstances. The Disciplinary Committee is therefore taking the following action: 1. Diallo shall be suspended for this evening’s exhibition game against Fulham and for the next three regular season games (at Miami on May 19, at home against Miami on May 26 and at home against Kansas City on June 2). 2. Diallo shall be fined the sum of $5,000. 3. Diallo shall be required to undergo anger counseling. In accordance with its new Disciplinary Procedures, the Disciplinary Committee made its decision today (prior to the normal four business days deadline) because it considered Diallo’s conduct to be an egregious act committed outside the normal course of play of the game.