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When Sigi Schmid ripped referee Ricardo Salazar both at halftime and after the Seattle Sounders’ draw with Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, you knew it was inevitable that he would draw a large fine.
Major League Soccer gave Schmid more than a fine.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber suspended and fined Schmid $2,000 for his public comments about match officials during and after Seattles’ scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake, the league announced Friday. The suspension is for one game, meaning Schmid will not be on the sidelines for this weekend’s tilt against FC Dallas.
“Sigi Schmid’s comments earlier this week about the officiating were unacceptable,” Garber said via a press release. “MLS requires that its players, coaches, and club leadership maintain proper respect for the officials at all times.”
Schmid was critical of match official Ricardo Salazar after the game with media and during a halftime interview where he accused Salazar of being Real Salt Lake’s 12th man.
Salazar drew Schmid’s ire after issuing a second yellow card to Sounders defender Zach Scott in the first half of their match last Wednesday. While the yellow cards he issued to Burch on Wednesday looked legitimate, Salazar does have a history of making controversial calls against the Sounders, including during Seattle’s U.S. Open Cup final loss to Sporting Kansas City.
What do you think of Schmid’s punishment? Should it have been more/less severe? Did Schmid have a point with his comments?
Share your thoughts below.