Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis is clearly unfazed by MLS suspensions for criticizing game officials. Earlier this season he sat out a one-game ban for venting about referees. On Thursday, MLS doubled the punishment for remarks Kreis made about the officials following last weekend’s 0-0 tie with Houston.
MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis has said in the past that suspensions are more effective than fines when it comes to preventing disrespect towards referees, writes James Edwards. Kreis was fined $1,000 for his first offense this season, and given a one-game ban, but this time both penalties were doubled after the coach complained that the Dynamo game had been “absolutely ridiculous, every single week we play here (at Rice-Eccles Stadium) I feel like we’re playing away.”
The punishment is not as harsh as it sounds, and certainly nothing as stringent as German coach Joachim Low endured at last month’s European Championships, when he was isolated by UEFA in a hospitality box throughout his team’s quarterfinal victory over Portugal. “Kreis will be allowed to be in communication with his bench via radio from the press box,” reports Edwards. “He’s also allowed in the locker room prior to the game, as well as halftime and after the game.” With lenient conditions like that, it’s little wonder the first punishment had no deterrent effect on the serially aggrieved coach.