Wambach, McNeill suspended by WPS Commissioner after rough match

Women\'s Pro Soccer Commissioner Tonya Antonucci has exercised her option as Commissioner to suspend both Abby Wambach of the Washington Freedom and Kia McNeill of the Saint Louis Athletica for a one game each following the rough match played between the teams at Maryland SoccerPlex this past weekend.

Though the referee took no action on site, and the league\'s Disciplinary Committee did not over-ride the referee, the league rules allow the Commissioner to independently exercise discipline at her discretion.

During the match, McNeill made several harsh challenges on Wambach that drew no foul calls from the referee. Later in the game, Wambach challenged Daniela with both feet, resulting in a broken leg and damaged ligaments that will likely see the Brazilian star miss the remainder of the season and then some.

 

DECISION AND STATEMENT OF THE WPS COMMISSIONER

Re:  Washington Freedom v. Saint Louis Athletica, May 3, 2009

Decision

Having reviewed footage of the match, the referee report, the coaches reports, and having heard from representatives of each Team, the Commissioner has determined that further discipline of certain Players in the Freedom v. Athletica match is warranted.

1.  Washington Freedom player #20 (Abby Wambach) is hereby suspended from the next Freedom game for which she is available to play (e.g. not injured or called to national team duty) based upon a tackle in the 80th minute that was reckless and resulted in a potentially season-ending injury of an opposing player.

2.  Saint Louis Athletica player #6 (Kia McNeill)  is hereby suspended from the next Athletica game for which she is available to play (e.g. not injured or called to national team duty)  based upon persistent egregious conduct toward an opposing player. 

Process
This week the League Disciplinary Committee completed its review of a number of on-field incidents in the May 3, 2009, game between the Washington Freedom and Saint Louis Athletica. In the Committee’s collective opinion, none of them met the very specific criteria for over-ruling the decisions of the game referee and therefore further disciplinary measures were not imposed.  Under the relevant rule, the Committee must be unanimous that the play in question is a clear and unequivocal red card.  That was not the case for any of the incidents reviewed.  Under the framework of this rule, the egregious or reckless nature of any given play is not a sufficient basis for a suspension absent the Committee’s agreement on the red card.

The decision of the Committee not to suspend any player is not appealable.  However, under the League Operating Agreements and consistent with the player contracts, the Commissioner may independently exercise her discretion to further review the match and assess penalties based upon conduct that is detrimental to the best interests of WPS, the integrity of its matches and the protection of its Players.
A suspended player may appeal the suspension by providing notice to the league within seven days of the decision to suspend.  Any appeal would be heard by the Commissioner.

Statement
"I elected to review the circumstances of the Freedom-Athletica match out of concern that the nature of play, if left unchecked, could lead to circumstances in future games that might pose a threat to the safety of the players and to the integrity of the league.  In addition to the issuance of the discipline in the Decision above, I have directed that the circumstances of this match be brought to the attention of the US Soccer Federation, which provides referee assignments for WPS matches, and that serious consideration be given to avoiding these circumstances when making future referee assignments."