Seattle Sounders striker, Obafemi Martins, narrowly escaped the Major Soccer League Disciplinary Committee sanction following the player’s unruly behaviour against a Galaxy defender.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee released its punishments for this week and Martins’ name was not on it.
This was a relief as there was a good deal of speculation that Martins’ yellow card could be turned into a red after review.
The play in question happened in the 57th minute when Martins gave Galaxy defender, AJ DeLaGarza, a kick in the back of the leg.
Referee Ismail Elfath was in good position to see the infraction and immediately issued a yellow card.
The Disciplinary Committee surely reviewed the play, but the fact that Elfath saw the foul and issued a yellow card may have actually worked in Martins’ favour, as those kinds of incidents have a higher bar to clear in order for the Disciplinary Committee to act.
The play in question is, in the unanimous opinion of the Committee, from all available video evidence, a clear and unequivocal red card and the play in question is of an egregious or reckless nature, such that the Committee must act to protect player safety or the integrity of the game.
Martins made a pretty clear kicking motion and that could be perceived as “violent conduct off the ball”.
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