MLS Disciplinary Committee Suspends and Fines Toronto FC Defender Marco Velez
September 11, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Sept. 11, 2008) - The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee today suspended Toronto FC defender Marco Velez one game and fined him $250 for endangering another player with a deliberate blow to the head in Toronto FC's game versus Chivas USA on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Velez was involved in a physical confrontation with Chivas USA forward Alecko Eskandarian in the 2nd minute of first-half added time. Velez struck Eskandarian in the face, after Eskandarian made contact to the face of Velez on a challenge for the ball. Both players were issued red cards on the play, but due to the violent nature of the offense by Velez the Disciplinary Committee found that further disciplinary action was warranted.
This fine and suspension are in addition to the automatic one game suspension and $250 fine for the red card, totaling a two game suspension and a $500 fine. Velez will miss Toronto FC's next two matches -- versus the Columbus Crew on Sept. 13 and versus the Kansas City Wizards on Sept. 20.
Click here to see the incident: mms://a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2008/open/discipline/090608_eskandarian_velez_rc2.wmv
As one of the League's official Charities of Choice, the US Soccer Foundation is the recipient of all player fines at the end of each season. Those fines are added to the Foundation's Annual Grants Pool from which the Board of Directors awards grants to soccer clubs and organizations that serve economically disadvantaged children in urban areas. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org.
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Major League Soccer Stories from September 11, 2008
- Revolution whip Chivas USA, 4-0 - New England Revolution
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- Real Salt Lake's New Stadium to Host USA Rugby Doubleheader on Saturday, November 8 - Real Salt Lake
- Revolution plans activities tonight to recognize and honor events of 9/11 - New England Revolution
- MLS Disciplinary Committee Suspends and Fines Toronto FC Defender Marco Velez - MLS
- Revolution to auction 9/11 game jerseys to benefit charity - New England Revolution
- Chicagoland Wendy's And Chicago Fire Team Up For Benefit Night - Chicago Fire FC
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