A player unhappy with referee behavior during Saturday’s game between the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati reportedly managed to get into the referees’ locker room before being “forcibly” ejected.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday that the athlete in question is Cincinnati defenseman Matt Miazga. He will be suspended for the next elimination round for receiving a third yellow card in two games in the final moments of the game.
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He was reportedly escorted by stadium security, according to a statement from the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA).
However, the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper has learned that no security officials were involved and rather it was a member of FC Cincinnati’s communications team who allegedly persuaded Miazga to transfer.
The PSRA called on Major League Soccer (MLS) to respond, and Garber County said in a statement that it was aware of the incident. “The safety of PRO officials [la Professionnal Referee Organization] should never be compromised and an investigation is ongoing,” the MLS said.
On Saturday in Harrison, Cincinnati defeated New York in two games after a lengthy penalty shootout. Miazga scored on his attempt and provoked the Red Bulls fans by forming a heart with his hands, earning him a yellow card. The American international is also a former flag bearer for this team.
Since then, FCC supporters have launched a petition to have Miazga’s yellow card revoked. He received nine in the regular season, the fourth-highest total in MLS.