Brutal Soccer Foul

UNTflyer · April 26, 2011

Brian Mullen doesn't get the foul, so he decides to take it out on the closest Seattle player, Steve Zakuani, breaking the fibula and tibula. Listen close, you can hear the leg snap.

MLS has not yet handed down punishment, but I would suspend him for the season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR8SKfUB8YE&feature=related

Army of Dad · April 26, 2011

I doubt they suspend him for the season. I think he will get something like 5-8 games, though I would be fine with 10.

It was brutal, but not a season long suspension. Ferreria got his leg broken and I don't think the ref even gave the other guy a card. Unless you are pushing for MLS to suspend every player that loses their cool and injures someone for an entire season I just can see where a season long ban is justified. 10 games would get the point across.

Travis · April 26, 2011

I doubt they suspend him for the season. I think he will get something like 5-8 games, though I would be fine with 10.

It was brutal, but not a season long suspension. Ferreria got his leg broken and I don't think the ref even gave the other guy a card. Unless you are pushing for MLS to suspend every player that loses their cool and injures someone for an entire season I just can see where a season long ban is justified. 10 games would get the point across.

It wasn't that he just broke his leg. It was that it was such a wreckless act that deserves serious punishment to protect the players and send a proper message that unleashing your frustrations like this is never acceptable.

KRAM1 · April 26, 2011

This sort of thing goes on in every sport. Doesn't make it right...doesn't say much about "fair Play" either, but I'm not sure about a season long suspension. The foul on Ferreria that wasn't even carded may have ended his season...I think the ankle is broken in two places. Maybe the "suspension" should be as long as the injured player is out of the game...that would be a bit of a mess to control, however. This sort of retaliation thing by Mullen is just plain stupid...may have ruined a guys career. If they did suspend him for a year, i wonder if others would "think first" before pulling this crap? probably not, as this sort of thing is usually done as a reaction and spur of the moment thing...rational/sane thinking hardly ever comes into play when emotions take over...stupid and dangerous play. I'll bet Mullen wishes he had it all to do over again...nasty tackle. I am sure MLS will deal with it...let's hope they do!

Army of Dad · April 26, 2011

It wasn't that he just broke his leg. It was that it was such a wreckless act that deserves serious punishment to protect the players and send a proper message that unleashing your frustrations like this is never acceptable.

OK, last season Brek Shea got mad during a match and went after an opponent with a horror tackle and got sent off. His opponent didn't suffer any lasting harm and Shea got sat down for three games. A tackle like this one from Mullen could be considered violent conduct, but is more likely serious foul play (an important distinction in punishment). The result of the foul can and should be considered in dealing with the foul, both by the referee and the league. Was Shea lucky to have not seriously injured his opponent? Hell yes he was, but you have to account for the result as well or you would have teams playing short if every angry reaction resulted in lengthy bans.

UNTLifer · April 26, 2011

They should suspend the MLS season until they can get this squared away.

Edited April 26, 2011 by UNTLifer

Green P1 · April 26, 2011

Where's Tatu at in all this?

Mean Green Matt · April 26, 2011

Where's Tatu at in all this?

Coaching High School soccer...

UNTnewbie · April 26, 2011

Coaching High School soccer...

..and the Sting Soccer Club.

Travis · April 26, 2011

OK, last season Brek Shea got mad during a match and went after an opponent with a horror tackle and got sent off. His opponent didn't suffer any lasting harm and Shea got sat down for three games. A tackle like this one from Mullen could be considered violent conduct, but is more likely serious foul play (an important distinction in punishment). The result of the foul can and should be considered in dealing with the foul, both by the referee and the league. Was Shea lucky to have not seriously injured his opponent? Hell yes he was, but you have to account for the result as well or you would have teams playing short if every angry reaction resulted in lengthy bans.

I am considering the result. I am considering all of it.

I am saying that I wouldn't mind him being suspended for an entire season. He likely could have just ended somebody's entire career. It is very hard to be the same player after that. I don't mind a season long punishment.

UNTflyer · April 27, 2011

To me, the difference between this and the Ferreira foul is intent. Maybe a full season is a bit harsh... But if MLS doesn't hand down one of the harshest penalties ever in the league, I think it sends the wrong message.

Rudy · April 27, 2011

I miss the Sidekicks and indoor soccer.

UNTflyer · April 27, 2011

Rumor has it that a 10-game suspension is about to be handed down... longest suspension in league history.

TheTastyGreek · April 27, 2011

I think the only thing to do is to tell him he's not going to play for approximately another 4 games.

Then, sometime in the 4th or 5th game, a referee can run out and start waving a flag at some random time and end his work stoppage period.

Seems appropriate.

Army of Dad · April 28, 2011

Rumor has it that a 10-game suspension is about to be handed down... longest suspension in league history.

Looks like you were right.

This sounds about right for this foul.

KRAM1 · April 28, 2011

I can see 10 games and $5000...sounds about right to me. i do think it sends a pretty good message, but i am not certain that when a player does something like this (in any sport) that they are thinking about the severity of the damage they may be doing to the other player and themselves or the potential fine and suspension they may be facing. Seems to me, being a referee, that this sort of thing is done because they really aren't thinking and it turns to all emotion. Too bad...should never happen at any level.

MeanGreenTexan · April 28, 2011

I can see 10 games and $5000...sounds about right to me. i do think it sends a pretty good message, but i am not certain that when a player does something like this (in any sport) that they are thinking about the severity of the damage they may be doing to the other player and themselves or the potential fine and suspension they may be facing. Seems to me, being a referee, that this sort of thing is done because they really aren't thinking and it turns to all emotion. Too bad...should never happen at any level.

This is so true, and that's why a very harsh penalty (I would have suspended for the season) has to come down. There needs to be some kind of mental check before these guys goon around like hockey players. If a 10 game suspension is enough for this to not happen anymore, then great! If not, the next time it happens, it needs to be longer.

TIgreen01 · April 29, 2011

This is so true, and that's why a very harsh penalty (I would have suspended for the season) has to come down. There needs to be some kind of mental check before these guys goon around like hockey players. If a 10 game suspension is enough for this to not happen anymore, then great! If not, the next time it happens, it needs to be longer.

Colorado is a team that almost sets up to play like this, though. They certainly foster an environment of playing more physically and with more emotion than skill. I'd have liked to see him suspended for the season, so that Colorado is forced to rethink their tactics going forward. 10 games will hurt both as he's one of their better players....but hopefully it's enough that THE TEAM is forced to rethink how they approach the game.

My $.02.