MLS disciplinary round-up: RBNY striker Patryk Klimala suspended, two fines issued
By Chris Smith
The MLS disciplinary committee has released its decisions for matches played on June 11 and 12, issuing a couple of fines and handing out a suspension.
1. New York Red Bulls forward Patryk Klimala suspended
Patryk Klimala was shown a yellow card in the New York Red Bulls' 2-0 defeat to Charlotte FC as he attempted to make a rebound after goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina spilled a shot just before half-time.
The Polish striker had every right to go for the ball, but caught Kahlina in the face with his trailing foot; an offense Major League Soccer's disciplinary committee has deemed fit to upgrade to a red card, with Klimala suspended for this weekend's match against Toronto FC.
"The play was reviewed under Disciplinary Committee Parameter 3, in which officials see an incident, and do not issue a red card or act on a case of clear and obvious simulation/embellishment that meets the conditions for suspension outlined in Section VI.B.4.d," a statement read. "The Disciplinary Committee may review the play for further disciplinary action, over and above the mandatory suspension and fine. Under Parameter 3, supplemental discipline (suspension and/or fine) will be administered if the Disciplinary Committee believes the offense is egregious in nature, and/or it must act to protect player safety, and/or it must protect the integrity of the game, and/or the player is guilty of repeat behavior."
Klimala has also been handed an undisclosed fine.
2. Ashley Fletcher fined for simulation/embellishment
Fellow Red Bulls striker Ashley Fletcher has also picked up a fine.
With RBNY 1-0 down, the Englishman got behind the Charlotte defense, but was thwarted by two excellent tackles from Guzman Corujo.
Fletcher tried to use the contact from the second challenge to earn a penalty but wasn't fooling referee Guido Gonzalez Jr or the disciplinary committee.
3. Gustavo Bou also punished for simulation/embellishment
Fletcher wasn't the only one trying to underhandedly win the referee's favor at the weekend.
Gustavo Bou got himself back on the scoresheet as the New England Revolution beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 away from home. But the Argentine impressed nobody as he went down holding his face after being shoved in the chest by SKC defender Kortne Ford.
Bou has been slapped with a fine for his troubles.
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