MLS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE ACTS

Colorado Rapids Forward John Spencer Suspended for Two Games, Fined $4,750

NEW YORK (Wednesday, July 10, 2002) - Major League Soccer's Disciplinary Committee has fined Colorado Rapids forward John Spencer $4,750 and suspended him for Colorado's next two games.

The fine and suspension, in addition to the $250 fine and one-game suspension which the player receives in the event of a red card, are a result of Spencer's major game misconduct following his expulsion during the Rapids' 3-2, come-from-behind victory on July 4 against the Chicago Fire. During the game's 35th minute, Spencer challenged Chicago defender C.J. Brown on a 50-50 ball and was shown the red card by referee Noel Kenny for leading with his elbow during the aerial challenge. On his way off the field, Spencer's continued aggressive dissent toward fourth official Kevin Stott resulted in the major game misconduct suspension and fine.

The additional game suspensions shall be served on July 13 against the Los Angeles Galaxy and on July 20 against the Columbus Crew.

In response to input from MLS teams, the circumstances in which it would be appropriate and necessary for the League's Disciplinary Committee to act have been expanded. New cases to be considered for review in 2002 shall include those circumstances where an incident was seen by the Referee (and/or officiating crew), but not deemed by them to be worthy of a red card (send-off). In such circumstances, if in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee the offense clearly and unequivocally is worthy of a straight red card (send-off), the Committee shall impose sanctions accordingly. The Committee may act on an appeal from a team and also retains the right to review any incidents it deems necessary of its own volition.

During past seasons, the Disciplinary Committee acted in the following situations:

1. A Competition Incident Report is submitted by either the Referee or by one of the competing Teams; or
2. A violation of the dissent initiative, instituted in 2001, occurs; or
3. Any instance of public criticism against League officials, game officials or the League itself that brings any of the aforementioned into disrepute; or
4. The Referee and/or officiating crew fails to see an incident that in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee was clearly and unequivocally worthy of a red card (send-off); or
5. There is a case of mistaken identity in the awarding of either a yellow or red card; or
6. Any incident of egregious conduct for which, despite the maximum application of the laws administered by the Referee, further punishment may be warranted; or
7. A violation of the US Soccer Referee Abuse and Assault Policy occurs or is perceived to occur; or The Lamar Hunt Open Cup Committee of US Soccer abdicates its responsibility.

In accordance with recent policies, the Disciplinary Committee will not review appeals intended to overturn a yellow or red card unless it is for a case of mistaken identity. Further, the MLS Disciplinary Committee will not review instances where a second yellow card would have led to the player's being sent-off unless that instance in and of itself was deemed by them to be worthy of a straight red card.

The administration of such supplemental discipline (i.e. fines, suspensions) shall occur when clear and unequivocal agreement exists among the members of both the Disciplinary Committee and its advisory panel. The advisory panel, whose members are selected from a pool of ex-MLS players and ex-MLS coaches, and whose identity shall remain confidential, is convened whenever suspensions are considered for red card offenses where a red card was not issued by the referee.

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