New York Red Bulls defender Rafael Marquez got a two-game ban from MLS for his role in igniting a mini-brawl at the end of Sunday’s playoff loss to the Galaxy in Harrison, N.J.The Mexican midfielder sat out Thursday’s loss to the Galaxy and will miss the first game of the 2012 season.
Marquez was also fined $2,000. The Galaxy’s Adam Cristman,who attcked Marquez after the ball toss, and Red Bulls midfielder Teemu Tainio were also fined undisclosed amounts for their role in the incidents. They were not suspended.
Galaxy midfielder Juninho, who joined the fray and was red-carded along with Marquez, served his one-game ban on Thursday and can return for the Galaxy’s conference final against Real Salt Lake onSunday.
“After thorough examination of the incident that followed the Oct. 30 game between the New York Red Bulls and the LA Galaxy, the Disciplinary Committee strongly believed RafaMarquez must be punished above the red card he was issued for throwing the ball after the final whistle because of the following actions: attempting to head butt Adam Cristman, attempting to punchAdam Cristman; striking Cristman, and simulating that he had been struck in the face,” said MLS Executive Vice President Nelson Rodriguez, who oversees the disciplinarycommittee