MLS's Disciplinary Committee has fined D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen and coach Peter Nowak $250 and $500, respectively, for public criticism of game officials following a 1-1 tie against the Columbus Crew at RFK Stadium on Saturday, May 8.
Both players lashed out at referee Terry Vaughn for calling a penalty kick after D.C. United defender Brandon Prideaux downed Frankie Hejduk in the penalty area in the final minute with D.C. leading, 1-0. Ross Paule converted the penalty.
Among the published comments were:
Nowak: ''The game was stolen from us''
Olsen: ''The referees decide games too many times in this league. They do it over and over and over. If they just let players play . . . that's what the people want to see. People came here to watch us win a game. We played good team defense for 90 minutes and to leave with a 1-1 tie, I'm heartbroken.''