

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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