Mexico's Marquez handed two-game ban

• by Soccer America , Mar 18, 2009

[WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING] Rafael Marquez's flying kick at U.S. goalie Tim Howard in last month's Hexagonal opener landed the Mexico captain a two-game suspension.

Marquez's charge earned him a red card in the second half of the World Cup qualifier.

FIFA also suspended Mexico assistant coach Francisco Ramirez for slapping U.S. defender underneath the stadium after the 2-0 U.S. win.

Marquez will miss Mexico's World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica on March 28 and at Honduras on April 1. Ramirez will not be allowed on the sidelines for the two games.