MLS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE SUSPENDS AND FINES REAL SALT LAKE MF KYLE BECKERMAN
NEW YORK / SANDY, Utah (Friday, October 7, 2011) – The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee today announced an additional two-game suspension and $1,000 fine to Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman for his violent conduct in the 11th minute of the game against the Chicago Fire on Sept. 28, 2011. Beckerman received a red card for head butting Chicago’s Daniel Paladini.
The Disciplinary Committee determined that Beckerman’s actions were completely outside the scope of the game and demonstrated utter disregard for the safety of his opponent.
The MLS Players Union appealed the Committee’s decision on behalf of Beckerman. MLS Commissioner Don Garber heard the appeal Oct. 4 and yesterday he elected to uphold the Committee’s decision.
Beckerman will be suspended for a total of three games and fined a total of $1,250, including the automatic one-game suspension and $250 fine for receiving a red card. Beckerman sat out the automatic one-game suspension last weekend and Los Angeles and will serve his additional two games during the next games for which he is eligible:
1)Saturday, October 1, 2011 versus LA Galaxy (already served)
2)Friday, October 14, 2011 at Colorado Rapids
3)Saturday, October 22, 2011 versus Portland Timbers
Note: Per League policy, players cannot serve suspensions while on international duty, and therefore Real Salt Lake’s game last night in Vancouver was not part of Beckerman’s suspension.
Fines collected are donated to MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS W.O.R.K.S. seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport.
Real Salt Lake will return to action next Friday, October 14, when it renews Major League Soccer’s fiercest series against its Rocky Mountain Cup rival, the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. is set for 8:30 p.m. MT for a contest that will be televised nationwide on ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes.
RSL will then return home to Rio Tinto Stadium for its 2011 MLS regular season finale on Saturday, Oct. 22, when the Portland Timbers will come to Sandy for the first time. Kickoff on Fan Appreciation Night at Rio Tinto Stadium, presented by Molding Box, is set for 7:00 p.m. MT. Tickets are still available for the contest and can be purchased online at www.RealSaltLake.com, over the phone by calling 801-727-2700, or in person at the Rio Tinto Stadium Box Office weekdays from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
