Less than 24 hours before the New England Revolution were scheduled to take on D.C. United Major League Soccer announced that Revs Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena would not be eligible to be on the sidelines for the match. On Monday, Major League Soccer Commissioner Donald Garber suspended Arena for two additional matches and fined the legendary head coach $15,000.
The two matches brings Arena’s total suspension up to three matches having already served a one-match suspension during last Thursday’s Philadelphia Union match.
This incredibly hefty punishment that is being dished out by Garber is for Arena’s outburst to the official following New England’s 1-0 loss to the Union in the Round of 16 in the MLS is Back Tournament back on July 25th.
“MLS today announced that MLS Commissioner Don Garber has suspended Arena for an additional two games, three games total, and issued a $15,000 fine for his unacceptable conduct and use of inappropriate language.”
Statement from MLS
With Arena being out for both Tuesday’s match with D.C. and Saturday’s match with the New York Red Bulls the Revolution will have Assistant Coach Richie Williams at the helm. Williams also coached the team to a 0-0 draw against the Union last Thursday.
MLS announcing this the night before a match that the Revolution have to wake up early and fly down to D.C. on the same day is a tad odd. What is also odd is that the league waited nearly a month to make the decision and that Arena had technically already served his suspension which was one match per MLS rules and regulations. The Commissioner reserves the right to dish out heftier punishments but the timing is well, a bit suspect.
During a media availability on August 12th Arena did address the situation but didn’t go into any specifics as to what was said.
“I just spoke in an inappropriate way to the referee at the end of the game and was deserving of a red card,” said Arena on the July 25th incident. “It was based on some things built up but at the end of the game. When we weren’t granted the corner kick at the end of the game, it set me off a bit. I made a mistake, I deserved a red card and we’ll leave it at that.”
