Vancouver Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini has got a reprieve from Major League Soccer.
The league, citing a B次元官网网址渟uccessful petition,B次元官网网址� has reduced his original six-match suspension by two games, meaning the Italian can be back on the sidelines for the March 30 visit of the Portland Timbers.
Sartini was sanctioned for his on-field actions and post-game comments following the 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on Nov. 5 at B.C. Place Stadium that ended the WhitecapsB次元官网网址� playoff run.
Sartini, who was sent off in the 95th minute, called referee Tim FordB次元官网网址檚 performance B次元官网网址渄isgracefulB次元官网网址� and made a joke about being a suspect if Ford was found dead.
Along with the automatic one-match suspension for the red card, Sartini was handed an additional five-game ban for multiple violations including entering the field of play in a confrontational manner and public criticism following the match.
Sartini was also issued a US$20,000 fine and ordered to complete a league-approved behavioural assessment.
The union representing North American soccer referees blasted SartiniB次元官网网址檚 comments, calling them B次元官网网址渄isgustingB次元官网网址� and that it took the rhetoric against officials to a B次元官网网址渄angerous new level.B次元官网网址�
Sartini apologized for his comments during the Whitecaps end-of-season media availability and said he had reached out to MLSB次元官网网址� professional referee organization.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 sorry, there was no malicious intent,B次元官网网址� Sartini said at the time. B次元官网网址淚 couldB次元官网网址檝e done much better and IB次元官网网址檓 sorry for that.B次元官网网址�
Sartini is eligible to return after serving the final game of the reduced suspension on Saturday against Real Salt Lake.
The Whitecaps (2-0-1) have not missed a beat without their colourful coach on the sidelines. Vancouver, coming off a 3-1 win at FC Dallas, sits second in the Western Conference standings.
Assistant coach Michael DB次元官网网址橝gostino has run the team on the sideline during SartiniB次元官网网址檚 absence.
During the ban, Sartini is barred from WhitecapsB次元官网网址� locker-room and field level and cannot communicate with the team or club staff from 90 minutes before kickoff until the final whistle
He has been able to conduct training and other team activities. The MLS ban also did not apply to pre-season or CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.
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