Forward Hristo Stoitchkov will be banned from playing in D.C. UnitedÆs first two games of the MLS season but he will be allowed to sit on the bench and perform his function as assistant coach. MLS also fined the Bulgarian $2,000 for his red-card foul on Freddy Llerena, the American University freshman whose leg broke in two places as a result of StoitchkovÆs studs-up tackle in the preseason exhibition.
''The discipline imposed upon Stoitchkov is in line with MLS discipline to players involved in comparable incidents over the years in MLS games,'' said MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidisin a league statement.
The league statement addressed speculation that StoitchkovÆs attack on Llerena was a result of a fury prompted by the collegiansÆ goal scored a minute before the incident.
''During the play Stoitchkov appeals for offside. After the goal is given, Stoitchkov complains to the assistant referee on his side of the field that the goal was offside. The assistant referee explains his decision to Stoitchkov and both the referee and the assistant referee stated that at that point they felt that the issue was resolved.''
The statement also addressed Stoitchkov's behavior after he was red-carded for the tackle on Llerena:
''Both the referee and assistant referee believe that Stoitchkov dissented after his red card, but he does not appear, either from their testimony or from the video evidence, to have been in an agitated state.''
Stoichkov will not be able to play in the April 12 game at Kansas City and the April 19 home game against Chicago.