Revs’ Jermaine Jones gets six-match suspension for shoving official
If Jermaine Jones returns to New England next season, he’ll be starting it on the Revolution bench.
Jones was suspended six matches and fined an undisclosed amount Friday by the MLS, after the enraged midfielder made contact with referee Mark Geiger following a controversial no-call in the final minutes of the Revolution’s season-ending 2-1 loss against D.C. United.
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Per league rules, Jones — a regular player on the U.S. men’s national team — will also be ineligible to play in any other soccer competitions while serving the six-game league ban.
The MLS Players Union appealed the decision December 8. But after a hearing, league commissioner Don Garber upheld the full suspension.
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It all started in the October 28 playoff match at D.C United, with the Revolution desperate for an equalizing goal during extra time. After Jones brought down a cross inside the D.C United box, the ball appeared to strike the hand of an opposing defender — constituting a penalty kick.
But Geiger’s whistle remained silent, prompting Jones to sprint across the field, chasing after the ref and pushing him. After an initial yellow card for dissent, Geiger pulled out a red card, ejecting Jones from the game.
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Jones apologized for his reaction after the game, though he insisted Geiger’s no-call was a poor decision.
““I think everybody who came today could see it, it was 100-percent a penalty,’’ Jones told a reporter. “My passion then after maybe went a little bit high, but I think it’s normal. It’s only two minutes to go, and then you’re out. For what happened after, I would say I’m sorry, maybe because I play with the national team it cannot happen, but it happened.’’
As Sports Illustratedpointed out, unless Jones signs with another team in-season this winter and serves the suspension with them, he will likely have to sit out two U.S. men’s national team World Cup qualifiers in the spring.
After Jones joined the team mid-season 16 months ago, the stalwart midfielder was central to the Revolution’s run to the 2014 MLS Cup Final.
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