By IVES GALARCEP
A player making contact with a player’s head with his foot might have been seen as accidental if it involved a player with a sparkling disciplinary record, but when the offending party has a reptuation and track record like Steven Lenhart’s, it was tough to see him getting the benefit of the doubt.
Major League Soccer’s disciplinary committee suspended Lenhart for two matches for kicking Chivas USA’s Mario DeLuna as the two battled for the ball. Lenhart escaped punished for the incident during the match, but when the play was reviewed it was determined that Lenhart was guilty of violent conduct that endangered the safety of his opponent.
Here is video footage the incident.
The suspension will case Lenhart to miss the Earthquakes’ upcoming matches vs. Montreal and Toronto FC.
What do you think of this development? See the punishment as harsh, or do you think Lenhart was punished for a track record of bad behavior and therefore wasn’t given the benefit of the doubt?
Share your thoughts below.