Photo by ISIphotos.com
Cuauhtemoc Blanco is in some trouble. Just how much remains to be seen.
As you have probably heard by now, Blanco was involved in a series of altercations late in Chicago’s U.S. Open Cup loss to D.C. United on Tuesday. Among the incidents were a punch to the midsection of D.C. United midfielder Clyde Simms (which was clearly seen in YouTube video clips before MLS had them removed), an apparent eye gouging of Simms, and an alledged headbutt of a D.C. official who tried to get Blanco to leave the sidelines after the game was over.
D.C. has sent video of the incidents to Major League Soccer and it will be very interesting to see what, if any, punishment the league hands down (if it can hand down any) for an incident that took place in a U.S. Open Cup match and not an MLS match.
The incidents are a disappointing development in what has been an otherwise very successful tenure in MLS for the enigmatic Blanco, who arrived in the league with a reputation as a troublemaker and someone who might cause problems at some point.
What sort of problems. Consider these incidents in Blanco’s past:
Blanco helped incite a riot after a Club America match almost two years ago:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsxxr51JgnI&hl=en&fs=1]
He also sucker-punched a journalist:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uYGDcwvDMs&hl=en&fs=1]
So what will happen to Blanco next? If he did, in fact, do everything he is accused of then I wouldn’t be surprised if he receives some sort of lengthy ban (lifetime ban perhaps) from the U.S. Open Cup. Not sure if MLS is ready to suspend a player for actions from a non-MLS game but if they do it would set a very interesting precedent and I wonder how the Chicago Fire would respond to that, if it even happens.
Can MLS suspend him? The league certainly can because it owns his contract and can decide that his actions put MLS in a bad light. The question is WILL MLS suspend him.
What do you think? Should Blanco be suspended from MLS matches because of his U.S. Open Cup meltdown? Should his suspension be limited to U.S. Open Cup play? Share your thoughts below
He should be suspended for the first round of the US open Cup next year..
Big loss since ehe probably wont be back anyway…
of all the places to blow up – a US Open Cup match in which you play about 10 minutes? had he always dreamed of playing in a US Open Cup match?
talk about not picking your moments. the US Open Cup should actually give him an award for really displaying the most emotion ever during one of these games. the Fire should bench him for a month for being absolutely moronic
Hey guys check out this video. It clearly shows him punching IMO. You can see Simms clearly dropping the ball before Blanco threw the punch.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XIE7lmgK2xw
Blanco did not punch Simms, he knocked the ball out of his hands.
And an “eye gouge?” Who is he, Moe Howard?
please stop the ‘took a swing at a cop’ BS. I saw 1 fan allege that on Goff’s blog and now every DCU moron is running with it. I’m sorry, if he took a swing at a cop he’d be in jail.
Eye gouge: odd that Simms hasn’t said anything about an eye gouge.
Headbutt of DCU employee: other accounts of the situation indicate the employee was in the Fire’s technical area (which isn’t allowed) while Blanco was gathering up his things and their eyebrows brushed as the guy was busy getting up in Blanco’s business.
The only thing we know for sure is the punch/ball slap. If that’s a lifetime ban then they need to end the Open Cup and MLS right now as it’s a total joke. He deserves 2-3 game Open Cup suspension and that’s about it. It’s 1 f’n red card people.
P.S. Does the B in LarryB stand for bullsh*t?
LarryB:
Give me a break with this typical other American league crap. After the stuff I’ve seen in other American leagues I can’t believe you have the nerve to post such a ridiculous comment! Morals? How many murderers, rapists, and hardcore criminals of all kinds are in the NFL? Why don’t you name their MLS counterparts? Then there is the wonderful NBA that is so out of control their players go into the crowd and beat up fans! Then there is MLB who are just a league of drug using cheats that have destroyed the integrity of what was supposed to be the honorable man’s game. No other American sports league can hold a candle to MLS in this respect so please pull your head out of your as*. (This is in no way a defense of the disgraceful Blanco.)
Until US Soccer sales the rights to the US Open Cup to MLS’s Soccer United Marketing company. I don’t expect any games to be broadcasted on TV or on-line unless it involves a USL team.
Maybe MLS and US Soccer should think of televising Cup games. That way we might actually give a crap about this.
Someone find the video please.
I have not seen the video, but have read several accounts on this. Mark Burch said that Blanco punched at the ball that Simms was holding. These were Burch’s words. Burch then shoved Blanco to the ground and Blanco got up and went after Simms again. For this Burch and Blanco got a red. Seems pretty straight forward. Since Blanco swung and hit another player, USSF should consider a further ban from USOC games.
Additionally, Blanco is accused of head butting a DC United person in the bench area and slapping a cop. If either of these happened, he should be dealt with by the legal system in Maryland.
As for MLS/Chicago Fire issuing additional penalties via the video, don’t hold your breath. Last year Danny Dichio bit another player in an altercation, that player retaliated and received a red card. When MLS was asked to review the tape – that was shown repeatedly on Fox Soccer Channel during their broadcast – no action was taken on Dichio. Since that happened in an MLS game and everyone watching got to see it and was with a player slightly below Blanco in league status, why would they suspend Blanco for a punch – that the retaliating party said was at a ball and resulted in a red card. If the off-field allegations prove true, different story.
Can anyone tell me the odds of Blanco being suspended from this weekend’s match w/ Toronto? He’s on my fantasy team…. should I take him out?
Can MLS suspend Blanco? Yes, of course remember MLS is the parent company of the Chicago Fire and all MLS teams for that matter as this is what single entity is all about. As such MLS own the license to the rights operate the Fire. In other words if MLS wants to displine Blanco he is their employee so they sure could do it.
Regarding guilt and innocence, the bottom line is that the only proof I’ve seen is that Blanco threw a punch at Clyde Simms. That’s a red card and probably up to a 4-match ban, but that ban will be within the Open Cup instead of league play. To say it’s anything more than that is to exaggerate what really happened.
As for whether the team or the league should step in… well, what’s the difference? Blanco’s contract isn’t with the Chicago Fire; it’s with MLS. He’s just allocated to Chicago. (Or is it different with designated players?) So it would be up to the league to determine if he should be suspended, and all indications are that they will do nothing and let him take whatever punishment the USSF dishes out. (Have I mentioned that this allocation system is utterly stupid and should be abolished?)
Besides, if MLS suspends Blanco, it would look hypocritical. After all, the league sent YouTube a DMCA takedown notice that might have been blatantly illegal. Why would they suspend him after possibly breaking the law themselves to cover up what he did?
I agree he was aiming for the ball but was more than happy to hit Simms. For this he should be and was red carded. I’m just trying to stem the tide of speculation on this. It started with “Blanco threw a punch” and ended with “at a cop.” Which at this point seems far from the truth.
I’m not defeding him in the least, the guy has left a trail of dirt behind him wherever he has gone, I’m just trying to get the facts and not specualtion. Like I said before, that sucker puch at the journalist is just plain cowardly.
“The Fire should show some class and suspend and fine him”?
LOL!
But that would mean accountability and responsibility at a management level in Major League Soccer! Come on now… There’s many things in the league that are not keeping pace with its growth. Unfortunately, that’s one of them. Then again, how often does it happen in any sport…
Ultimately, it’s the FIRE we’re talking about here. Between them, DC, and LA, you’ve the unholiest of trios. Agreed with what was previously said, we’ll see a $1K fine and a hug.
My only thought on reading this was “what took him so long?”
I mean, is there even one person out there who was surprised by this?
To the halfwits defending Blanco: really? So all of a sudden he has turned a new leaf? His career is FULL of MYRIAD incidents just like this. But all of a sudden he should get the benefit of the doubt? Usually I’m at least half joking when I poke fun at fire fans but come on. Like Lothar Matthaus explained to Ben Olsen so many years ago, “the ball is round.” While my stomach might be round, Simms’ is not. When you are two inches away from a guy, you don’t miss punching an object the size of a soccer ball. You guys are embarrassing yourselves and the Fire.
The Fire should show some class and suspend and fine him. Letting USSOC or MLS take action is low class, they should handle it first and firmly, showing that they don’t allow their players to act like idiots.
If the Fire do not do anything to punish their star, just chalk it up to another classless move by the classless Fire.
RACISTS! ALWAYS PICKING ON THE MEXICAN!
Seriously, this guy was always a loaded gun. Just about everywhere he played he did something similar. Oh well, I doubt anything happens. More like a slap on the wrist.
First of all, like anotherbodymurdered said the only thing that has been confirmed it the stomach punch. And from various accounts it was Blanco trying to punch the ball out of Simms hands because he was stalling on a Fire free kick. That was deserving of a red card and he got it.
Next, the eye gouging is alleged by Burch (not Simms) and denied by Blanco.
Third, the alleged headbutt of the DCU official is played up by DCU fans and from unbiased accounts at the game was more of an eyebrow brush that resulted from Blanco getting in the DCU guys face. The DCU offical had no business taking Blanco off the field if he was stalling (the job of the refs) and it would be easy for an already pissed off Blanco to not take kindly to the opposing team escorting him off the field.
Finally, the altercation with a cop is pure speculation at this point as it would have happened in the tunnel and not on the field.
As for what should happen. A red card, and a suspension from a couple USOC games. He didn’t brawl on the field, and it wasn’t unprovoked. He didn’t kick someone when they were down or break someones leg. In all honesty the thorrington tackle on Jamie Moreno looked worse than this nonsense. But the tape is the final authority and everything changes if the alleged incidents turn out to be true.
If you call that a punch to the gut, call me the worlds sexiest man.
The federation should take this on, not MLS, since the U.S. Open Cup is a federation event; the fact that MLS teams play in it is quite beside the point. Besides, a sanction from the federation would send a bigger message to Blanco than one from MLS. Besides, what if Blanco was playing against a USL team or a team in a lower classification?
The thye of behavior is not what we want to have in MLS. Mr White may be a great player but he’s a thug. What he’s done here may get by in other sports or other Leagues in the World but MLS needs to draw the line here and hand this jerk and major fine and suspension. To do anything less will send a horrid message to the players and to US soccer fans.
I think this could be over real quickly if two things happen. The Team sits him for a game or two and then the ussf who I believe governs the tournament can do the several game suspension for next year. Then the guy that has helped chicago, and maybe MLS, more than anyone else over the last year can get back to playing.
Seems pretty simple.
“Hmmm, lets see, he’s guilty of a stomach punch, an eye gouge and a head butt.”
This is EXACTLY the kind of speculation I’m talking about. Even if the post was in jest it doesn’t help AT ALL. NOTHING has come to light to prove anything about the second and third items on this list. People need to learn about what kinds of evidence are required to proclaim “guilt”.
he should be banned for life just so we could hear Fire Fans whine & moan about it.
I think if he raked Simms head with a saw blade, then grabbed his nose with a pair of pliers, then we could all call him CuauhteSHEMP Blanco.. nyunk nyunk
Dare I say we are seeing the Blanco some people expected? Just goes to show what a few losses will do.
I’m surprised Blanco’s people haven’t responded with anything. I mean, Materazzi said something about Zidane’s sister. Maybe Simms’ did something to set him off?
I’m sure more will be revealed.
What will happen to Blanco??
Hmmm, lets see, he’s guilty of a stomach punch, an eye gouge and a head butt. I think that once July 15 gets here you’ll see the Fire quietly transfer his rights to UFC Ultimate Fighting.
I was at the match and saw the video before MLS took it away. Blanco came in as a sub and he could not generate anything except being harrased by the over 4000 United fans. You could tell Blanco was irritated especially being down 2-1 in OT. He lost his cool and gave a cheap blow to Simms. After the hit on Simms, Burch from United gave a nice shoulder blow to Blanco in retaliation. Hence, Blanco and Bursch were red carded.
I’m pretty sure MLS is not going to punish Blanco, but all the rest of the MLS teams need to take note that Blanco is a ticking bomb waiting to explode. I just hope it doesn’t happen in the playoffs.
Is this type of thing completely unprecedented? There’s got to be a norm from other countries, no?
What happens to an EPL player if he commits this type of misconduct in an FA Cup match? Does he get an EPL suspension?
Infact. Just for the fun of it I just skinned over the CBA for the MLS. In it there are specific rules geared toward conduct that happens off the field that can be punished by the commissioner/league. The MLS is well within their rights to act upon this issue if they do infact have video proof of an issue.
I’d have to believe that USSF has also received footage of the video. They’re more than likely the ones to drop a US Open Cup ban.
USSF should suspend him & MLS should honour the suspension.
I’d have to believe that USSF has also received footage of the video. They’re more than likely the ones to drop a US Open Cup ban.
MLS can suspend him for conduct unbecoming, or something like that. Same as if he got arrested for something.
Stoichkov got suspended for breaking that AU player’s leg in a scrimmage.
Yes, cards dont carryover between tournaments, but MLS can (and most likely will) find a reason to sit him down for a couple of matches if the post-match stuff is true.
I am not sure if the punch to the gut was worth more than the red card, and a couple games in next year’s USOC. However, if there is any proof that he headbutted an employee and took a swipe at a cop(???), he should definitely miss some league matches.
quick slap on the hand, and then a hug??
@anotherbodymurdered: I don’t need to listen to what another team has said. There are numerous on location fan reports and a video (err was) in which you can clearly see him punching Clyde Simms in the stomach. Whether on accident or purposeful we can never know, but from the casual observer it sure looks like a player completely and out of control that has no business being out on the pitch for a couple of days let alone on a capt of a team.
Lemme restate:
By FIFA rules, National Federations and professional leagues within that country are seperate entities, so in the case of this tournament, MLS may not have to abide by the USSF’s rules in regards to a suspension (can someone else confirm)?
OK, way off topic but….
The important lesson here, taken from the first film, is “when in the middle of a riot, NEVER lose your feet.” Those guys kicking that poor dude that went down looked like they were Pesci and De Niro working on Billy Batts.
A few things to consider:
1-It was an official USSF event, not MLS, so what authority does the league have over his actions? FIFA rules, National Federations and Pro Leagues are not the same, so the USSF may suspend him but this doesn’t mean the MLS has to follow suit.
2-Does MLS have a code of conduct clause in player contracts that may be applied outside of official MLS events? If so, what is it?
3-He’s a registered player from the FMF. Will this have any influence on how the league will handle it? I’m guessing that it will – a lil but.
4-The Video!!!! Can someone post a new link or file share it and or the match?
I don’t condone the actions but I’d prefer to see for myself in regards to what happened.
You kidding? Punching DCU players is an act that should be rewarded, not punished!
Seriously though, I’d have to see the video to determine how bad the offense was. I’m not sure the league will need to do anything anyway. The incident hasn’t exactly created a firestorm of negative press.
If it is as bad as it sounds, perhaps a one game suspension and a fine would be the right call.
LarryB you forget that most of the accusations are being leveled by the opposing TEAM, perhaps not the most reliable source of unbiased information in a serious situation. But don’t let that stop you from broad speculation, champ.
Mabe the MLS will hand down one of their patented $250 fines. That’s sure to hit a DP player hard in the pocket book.
if he headbutted a non player, and allegedly slapped a cop, his @ss should be in jail.
I know that we soccer fans generally don’t like to compare our sport to other sports, especially here in the US. But I would like to for a second ask you what would happen to this player if this was the NFL. I can tell you what would happen. The TEAM would be fining and/or suspending the player for their actions. This is a poor reflection on the TEAM which in turn is a poor reflection of the league. When you play it does not matter who you are playing or where you are playing you are a representative of your TEAM. When you are a complete and total ass like this you very much deserve to be punished by the ownership. If the TEAM had any morals or ethics at all a suspension would have already been handed down and this wouldn’t have even been an issue.
That goalie was getting owned in that first film. hahahha
if he headbutted a non player, and allegedly slapped a cop, his @ss should be in jail.
It would be hypocrtical of the MLS to suspend a player for a US Open cup game when it seems to try and distance it self as far from it as possible.
Lifetime ban from the USOC? Nah…although multiple matches are probably warranted.
He’s a childish hothead, but this incident shouldn’t turn into one of those “won’t somebody *please* think of the *children*!” things. This isn’t exactly Pacers-Pistons stuff here.