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Major League Soccer’s disciplinary committee handed out a one-match suspension to Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore on Wednesday, 10 days after the incident in question occurred. He already served the mandatory one-match ban that comes with each red card in TFC`s 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Altidore received a red card in the 11th minute of the match against New York City FC on August 12 for kicking New York defender Alexander Callens. It was an idiotic decision by Altidore, and one that certainly warranted a red card, as it was both unnecessary and violent. You can see it or yourself in the video below:
The thing I don’t understand, however, is why his suspension was extended by one match so long after the kick occurred. Even though his kick may have warranted an extra match, 10 days is an awfully long time for the disciplinary committee to come to a decision, especially when you think about how long it usually takes them to decide such things. When Chris Mavinga was suspended for his push on Leandro Gonzalez Pirez against Atlanta United earlier this month, it took the disciplinary committee just six days to come to a decision on the incident, but perhaps more importantly, made their decision before TFC`s next match, something they failed to do this time. As mentioned above, Altidore has already served his mandatory suspension, so extending it after the original suspension has been served is a questionable decision.
With the next Toronto FC match being against one of the teams above them in the standings, and their biggest rivals Montreal Impact nonetheless, many fans are obviously upset with the decision. Here is some of the reaction tonight on Twitter:
MLSDC are something else.... couple days before game you give an extra game??? Why not just give him 2 to start with #TFCLIVE #Altidore makes no sense
— Danny Bonitatibus ⭐ J (@DanBon83) August 22, 2018
@MLS I try to support his league but the inconsistency with discipline is embarrassing. Altidore a second game a week after the incident. Punches and players spitting get nothing.
— rs119 (@ry_mma) August 23, 2018
Montreal fans, however, are reacting more positively:
Sans Altidore, c'est moins savoureux mais ça nous donne un avantage intéressant pic.twitter.com/IPP8DTIpoH
— Dany Bouchard (@DanyBouchard19) August 23, 2018
Obviously losing Altidore is a big blow to Toronto FC, especially when it looked as though Toronto would be able to field a full-strength side for the first time in months against Montreal, but as they have had to do so many times this season, need to stop worrying about the past and focus on the task ahead: winning.