News Summary
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has announced fines and warnings for various players and coaches following incidents from Matchday 28 of the season. Key players from several teams, including Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, faced penalties for not adhering to league rules. Additionally, multiple teams were penalized for violations related to the Mass Confrontation Policy. These disciplinary measures highlight the league’s commitment to enforcing professionalism and maintaining the integrity of the game.
New York City – The Major League Soccer (MLS) Disciplinary Committee announced several fines and warnings following incidents that occurred during Matchday 28 of the 2025 season. The disciplinary actions include fines for players and head coaches across various teams for violations of league policies, some of which involve failing to comply with rules regarding conduct during matches.
Real Salt Lake’s midfielder Diego Luna received a fine for not leaving the field in a timely manner during the 85th minute of their match against the New York Red Bulls on August 10. Similarly, Édier Ocampo, a defender for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, was fined for failing to vacate the field during the 27th minute of their game against the San Jose Earthquakes on August 9.
In another incident, Sang Bin Jeong, a forward for St. Louis CITY SC, was fined for making an inappropriate gesture in the 66th minute of the match against Nashville SC on August 9. The MLS Disciplinary Committee also addressed a violation of the Mass Confrontation Policy, which occurred during the August 9 matchup between Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC in the 77th minute. Philadelphia Union was found to have violated this policy for the second time this season, leading to fines for head coach Bradley Carnell and players including goalkeeper Andre Blake, midfielder Quinn Sullivan, and forward Mikael Uhre. Toronto FC received their first violation, leading to official warnings for their head coach Robin Fraser and fines for players Richie Laryea and Deybi Flores.
Additionally, FC Cincinnati was also found in violation of the Mass Confrontation Policy during their match against Charlotte FC on August 10. This marked their first violation of the season, resulting in official warnings for the club and head coach Pat Noonan. Players Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga, Lukas Engel, DeAndre Yedlin, Evander, and Gerardo Valenzuela were fined for inciting or escalating the confrontation.
Other Notable Fines and Suspensions
Several other players across the league have also faced disciplinary actions. The Colorado Rapids’ defender Jackson Travis was fined for failing to leave the field promptly in the sixth minute of their game against LAFC on July 9, while LAFC’s forward Denis Bouanga received a fine for violating league policies by kicking an object towards fans.
In a separate issue, Chicago Fire FC midfielder Brian Gutiérrez has been suspended for one match and fined for violent conduct during the 56th minute of their match against Columbus Crew on February 22. Gutiérrez will serve his suspension against D.C. United on March 1.
Inter Miami CF players Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi were both fined for violating the league’s hands-to-the-face/head/neck policy during halftime and post-match, respectively, in the same game against New York City FC.
Furthermore, Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller was fined for not leaving the field in a timely manner during the 11th minute against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on February 23, and LA Galaxy forward Gabriel Pec was fined for violating the simulation/embellishment policy in the 69th minute against D.C. United.
Context of Disciplinary Actions
The MLS Disciplinary Committee’s role is to ensure that players and coaches maintain the standards of conduct expected in the league. These fines and warnings serve to reinforce the importance of professionalism and adherence to league rules during matches. By addressing such issues, the MLS aims to uphold the integrity of the game while promoting fair play among its teams.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- MLS Soccer: Diego Luna Fined
- Google Search: MLSSoccer disciplinary committee
- MLS Soccer: Denis Bouanga Fined
- Wikipedia: Major League Soccer
- Front Row Soccer: Brian Gutiérrez Suspension
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Disciplinary Action
- MLS Soccer: Gabriel Pec Fined
- Google News: MLS disciplinary committee latest
- Hudson River Blue: Messi Controversy
- Google Scholar: MLS player conduct
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