[MLS REF WATCH] No formal disciplinary action is being taken by the U.S. Soccer Federation against MLS referee Jair Marrufo after Cuauhtemoc Blanco gave the ref his jersey following the Chicago-Columbus game last Saturday. Marrufo, who was also seen chatting with Blanco before the game, has, however, been removed from his next scheduled game this weekend.
The USSF is not calling Marrufo’s break from this week’s action a suspension.
“The referee made a mistake in judgment,” U.S. Soccer spokesperson Neil Buethe told the Columbus Dispatch. “Now that this has occurred, there is talk of putting a policy in the handbook so the next time you can point to that rule and now it means he’s definitely suspended. … It’s unfortunate how everything went down.”
Blanco reportedly went to the entrance of the officials’ locker room after the game and tossed his jersey to Marrufo, who red-carded Columbus defender Gino Padula for a second-half foul on Blanco. Chicago scored its two goals for a 2-2 final result while playing with a man advantage.
VIDEO of Padula’s foul on Blanco (at 03:06 mark)
The Columbus Dispatch reported that U.S. Soccer’s response was made “in concert with MLS officials.”
Marrufo did not ask for the jersey, said Buethe.
“[Blanco] tossed him the jersey and he caught it,” Buethe said. “He understands now he should have handed it back.”
Blanco was also seen berating the officials at halftime.
“[Marrufo] realizes this was compounded by the circumstances,” Buethe said. “If there was no red card to Padula and then this happens, maybe it’s not as much of an issue. It’s unfortunate how everything went down.”