It was one of the more egregious dives seen this MLS season, and now Alvaro Saborio looks like he could pay a steep price for his action, which drew a penalty and a red card that turned a scoreless match against San Jose into a 4-0 blowout win.
According to sources within MLS, Saborio stands a very good chance of being suspended for one match for his tide-turning dive against the Earthquakes last Saturday. If Saborio is suspended, an announcement would come on Thursday.
Saborio caused a stir when he fell to the ground in the penalty area despite not having been touched by a San Jose player. A red card to Bobby Burling and penalty that Saborio converted was the resulting effect, which helped RSL blow away the Earthquakes.
While the punishment might seem harsh, it isn't a complete surprise because MLS stated clearly after fining Charlie Davies for diving that punishments, up to and including suspension, would be considered in future cases of diving that influenced the outcome of a match. Ironically, it was Davies' dive against Real Salt Lake that led MLS to consider stiffer punishment for the act of diving.
What do you think of this development? Like the idea of MLS suspending a player for diving? Think it's too much punishment?
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