Retroactive refereeing has now gone both ways.
The New England Revolution were successful in the first-ever appeal of a red card under the league's new system, getting Fernando Cardenas' fine and suspension for the card he received Saturday against Real Salt Lake rescinded.
Instant replays of Cardenas' supposedly red-card worthy foul on RSL's Jamison Olave clearly showed that the Revolution attacker never stepped on the RSL centerback with his exposed cleat and was instead the one stepped on in the altercation. The Revs challenged the ruling, a process that has the potential to carry a lot of risk (SBI covered the topic here), and won, as the Professional Referee Organization, U.S. Soccer and Canadian Soccer Association representatives who make up the independent review panel voted unanimously to overturn referee David Gantar's decision.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee did bring down the hammer on Seattle Sounders left back Leo Gonzalez for stomping on Philadelphia Union defender Sheanon Williams leg, a play that went unseen by referee Ricardo Salazar and his crew Saturday afternoon. Gonzalez will be suspended for Wednesday's match against FC Dallas and is fined an undisclosed amount.
What do you think of the decisions?
Share your thoughts below.Â