PASL-Pro Suspends, Fines Kings Coach Craig Rhodis
Published on December 31, 2010 under Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) News Release
The Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro) announced today a one-game suspension for Cincinnati Kings Head Coach Craig Rhodis for roster violations in their game against the San Diego Sockers on December 18.
The suspension will be levied on the Kings next road game which is January 8 at San Diego. Rhodis will be able to coach the Kings tomorrow for their home game against the Louisville Lightning. In addition, Rhodis has been fined an undisclosed amount by the league.
Following their 5-4 win over the Sockers on December 18, two members of the Kings front office realized that Cincinnati used 15 players in the game instead of the league-mandated 13. The two extra players warmed up with the team and remained in uniform on the bench, but were not permitted to play and were not on the team's 13 player lineup card. Neither the Sockers nor the officials realized what had happened until the Kings staff made them aware of it after the game. In determining the penalty Rhodis and/or the Kings would face the league conferred with the San Diego Sockers who were cooperative and understanding.
The two players, George Davis and Kurt Fischer, played a limited time in the fourth quarter and did not record any stats. Rhodis attributed the violation to a miscommunication with his assistants and took full responsibility for his role in the incident. "I would not do anything deceiptful to circumvent the rules," said Rhodis. "Tonight was an honest mistake. I was dealing with an injured player in one instance, and coaching another player in the other instance, so I did not catch it. The reality is that the rules are the rules. I know them. So it is my fault. As soon as we found out we reported it."
The PASL-Pro will amend its rules concerning non-playing personnel on the bench and any future violations going forward will be dealt with in a much more severe manner.
"We believe Craig Rhodis did not knowingly violate the league rules," said PASL-Pro Commissioner Kevin Milliken, "but at the same time it marred what was one of the best games of the year between two first place teams and that is something that the league cannot tolerate."
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from December 31, 2010
- PASL-Pro Suspends, Fines Kings Coach Craig Rhodis - PASL
- Cougars Weekly: News and Notes on Your California Cougars - California Cougars
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