NEW YORK — Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey was suspended for three games by Major League Soccer on Friday and fined for his conduct toward a match official during a U.S. Open Cup game this week, a penalty the U.S. captain will finish serving before the Americans start the defense of their CONCACAF Gold Cup title next month.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber concluded Dempsey’s behavior was “referee abuse,” which requires a minimum three-game suspension, and not “referee assault,” which has a minimum six-game ban.
Dempsey was punished for a confrontation with a referee Tuesday in the Sounders’ fourth-round loss to the rival Portland Timbers, when he grabbed a notebook from the official and tore it after a teammate was given a red card. Dempsey could face further discipline from a panel established by the U.S. Soccer Federation, but any additional suspension would be limited to U.S. Open Cup matches.
Dempsey will miss league games against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, Philadelphia Union on Wednesday and Portland on June 28. While Dempsey would have had to sit out U.S. national team games during the suspension, the Americans do not play until a July 3 exhibition against Guatemala, four days before the Americans start the Gold Cup against Honduras.
Referee abuse is defined as conduct that “threatens through a physical act or verbal statement, either explicitly or implicitly.” Part of the definition of referee assault is “damaging the referee’s uniform or personal property (e.g., car, uniform, or equipment).”
“We do not tolerate conduct of this nature from any of our players,” MLS deputy commissioner Mark Abbott said in a statement. “No matter how passionate our players are or what happens in the ‘heat of the moment,’ they must always respect all aspects of the game, especially the referees. In light of Clint’s actions and our past precedents, we felt that a significant suspension was appropriate.”
Thumbnail photo via Jennifer Buchanan/USA TODAY Sports Images
