Vancouver Whitecaps coach handed significant penalty over controversial referee comments
Posted November 30, 2023 12:43 pm.
Vancouver Whitecaps Head Coach Vanni Sartini has been handed a significant fine and suspension over his actions during and after his team’s playoff elimination in early November.
The MLS says Sartini has been issued a $20,000 fine and “must complete a league-approved behavioral assessment” and comply with any treatment requirements as part of his penalty.
The league notes this action stems from the Nov. 5 match between Vancouver and Los Angeles Football Club.
The MLS explains that, in the 95th minute, the coach received a red card and was kicked out of the game by officials. In addition to the automatic one-match suspension that comes with a red card, the league says Sartini was also given an additional five-match suspension” for what it says was “his violation of league policies, including entering the field of play in a confrontational manner and public criticism following the match.”
Sartini called referee Tim Ford’s performance “disgraceful” after Sunday’s game and made a joke about being a suspect if Ford was found dead after the match, prompting a rebuke from the union representing North American soccer referees.
“I think Tim is a good guy but, you know,” Sartini said in a media availability Nov. 6. “The referee was a disaster. We have to be completely honest, the referee was a disaster. Everyone can have a worst performance.”
The head coach apologized for his comments following the backlash, saying “there was no malicious intent.”
“I could’ve done much better and I’m sorry for that,” Sartini said Nov. 7.
-With files from The Canadian Press
