Brian Mullan receives a 10-match suspension for breaking Steve Zakuani’s right leg
Major League Soccer regulatory authority has handed out the most severe penalty in the league’s history to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brian-Mullan-c8061. The midfielder had broken Seattle Sounders midfielder Steve Zakuani’s right leg with a reckless tackle.
The red card shown to Mullan automatically suspends him for one match, and the league authorities have slapped an additional 9-match suspension. In addition to the suspension, the player has been handed a $5000 fine as well as $250 fine for receiving the
red card.
Seattle Sounders were visiting the Rapids at d**k’s Sporting Goods Park in the 2011 MLS season fixture. The player was stretchered out in the early minutes of the game with the score line still reading 0—0.
Mullan’s reaction was an act of frustration over a non-call on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tyson-Wahl-c35653 mere seconds earlier. The player then charged straight up to the Congolese, who was moving up field with the ball at his feet. Ironically, the player was right in front of the Rapids
bench when the unfortunate tackle was made, and the players on the bench turned their heads away after having seen the injury.
The player was immediately taken to the Denver Hospital. It took the MLS authorities a week to come up with the decision. The committee had to consider all the aspects involved in the incident; Mullan’s frustration, spot of the accident, player’s reaction
and so forth.
Executive vice-president of competition and game operations, Nelson Rodriguez, explained the decision making process.
"In making this decision, the Committee took several factors into account: the timing of the challenge, the location on the field, the moments immediately before the challenge where it is clear that Mullan is frustrated and the severity of Zakuani's injury,"
he said.
Furthermore, the VP added to the comments that it was a direct violation of player’s safety and the final verdict was meritorious. "The Committee felt the egregious nature of the foul and the severity of the injury warranted the discipline issued," Rodriguez
said. "The Committee believes the challenge showed an utter disregard for Zakuani's safety.
For their part, Colorado Rapids have announced that the player will not appeal against the decision. The Rapids midfielder was clearly upset after the event and did not attend the next three training sessions that took place at Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids
head coach, Gary Smith, puts Mullan’s condition as “visibly shaken”.
Mullan later promulgated an official apology statement. "It is with regret that my tackle resulted in the injury of Steve and I am deeply sorry to Steve and all those impacted by his injury,” he said in the statement.
Even though no official report has been issued regarding the magnitude of the injury, however, the player might be looking at an entire season on the sidelines. Mullan, meanwhile, will sit out all the MLS games until June 26, 2011, when The Rapids travel
to play http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Columbus-Crew-c38850 at their home ground.
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