MLS Slaps Ricardo Clark with Nine-Game Ban

By: Bob | October 5th, 2007

Harsh. That is the word I would use to describe the punishment MLS has handed down to the Houston Dynamo’s Ricardo Clark for his stomp of FC Dallas’ Carlos Ruiz. Clark has been given a nine-game suspension and slapped with a $10,000 fine for his 5-second mental breakdown.

“In taking this action, Major League Soccer is sending a signal that it will not accept reckless and dangerous behavior on its fields,” Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. “If there is a repeat of this kind of behavior by any MLS player, even firmer sanctions can be expected in the future.”

There is no denying that Clark deserves to be punished. He got baited into kicking Ruiz and kick Ruiz he did (although not hard enough for some fans out there). Dumb move on his part. Something that doesn’t belong in the game. Yadda, yadda. But does the penalty fit the crime?

Clark will miss the rest of the season and the playoffs and the start of next season. That is a long time for a player who has represented the US national team and a guy who as far as I know has never been a problem for the league. It is the longest suspension ever handed out by the league, which in theory means that it is the most egregious act carried out over the past decade.

Perhaps it was, but I still can’t help but think MLS is treating this too severely. If this had occurred in England or Italy or Spain there would have been a punishment for sure, but I don’t think it would have been nearly as long as nine games. The league might be sending out a message, but what kind of message is it when it fails to mention Ruiz’s role in the altercation?

Your thoughts? Too harsh a punishment? Not enough? Just right?

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Category: MLS, World Football

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SounderFan

It should have been a longer suspension.... for not crippling ruiz.
eric

The suspension and fine he received was ok. it could have been worse, i even heard and idiot of a commentator on MLS Extra Time that he deserves a year... i was like what an idiot. anway it was alright and he'll be back and when he does that Houston/Dallas rivalry will be even bigger. Like the FC Dallas blog guy says "where the F C stands for Fuck Dallas.
robina

Too harsh? Eh. Deserved? I think so. He may be a valued member of both his club & his country's side, but as such, he should know better how to control his temper & not pull such a dumb move. I've watched the video of the incident a few times, and you could hear his foot make contact with the side of Ruiz (who I am no fan of).

I think it's similar to Antony Carmello's punishment from the NBA - the league coming down hard now is sending a message to other players that they need to watch it.

Then again, perhaps the fine is a tad harsh, being as MLS players don't exactly make very much in the first place.
john

Yes, Bullshit. That anyone is standing up for a player who kicked another player who was lying on the ground, while the ball was out of play. Maybe harsh, and maybe Ruiz should get a sizable chunk of penalization for kneeing Clark in the back, and then trying to affect like he'd been kicked in the head rather than the shoulder. But kicking a man when he's down, is, and always has been, true Bullshit.
Sam

Bullshit. He kicked him, and he "shouldn't have", blah blah, who gives a fuck, does that one kick merit almost a third of the season in suspension time?
Josey

instead of the fine. clark should be forced to pay for ruiz hair cuts. that should probably be about the same amount...
i think the punishment is too much.
ruiz and his antics are bad but its part of the game. play on!