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