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Chicago Dispute Blanco Allegations
The Chicago Fire say their Mexican superstar did not head-butt a D.C. United employee.
Jul 10, 2008 1:02:21 PM
On Wednesday, the media and fans lined up to indict Chicago Fire
midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco for his violent outburst during the side's
U.S. Open Cup loss to D.C. United. But now Chicago is refuting some of
the allegations.
During the match, Blanco was red-carded and caught on video punching United midfielder Clyde Simms in the ribs. He also allegedly eye-gouged Simms.
Sources told Goal.com that later, while being escorted to the locker room, Blanco head-butted United's field manager.
But on Thursday, the Fire denied the head-butt allegation, saying that Blanco's head grazed the United employee's face accidentally while the player was turning to leave the field.
Fire spokesman Gregg Elkin, who was not at the match, tells Goal.com, "[Blanco] stopped on the side of the field to pick up his things, then, when he was turning around, his forehead did make contact with the guy's cheek or jaw area." As far as any further action on the club's part, Elkin says they will wait for a ruling from the federation. "The federation has asked for video that D.C. apparently has and then that’s up to them."
As reported yesterday on Goal.com, D.C. United is sending video of the incidents to US Soccer. A US Soccer spokesman told Goal.com that the federation's disciplinary committee will meet soon to determine if Blanco should receive any punishment in addition to the one-game suspension carried by his red card. There is precedent for a longer suspension based on games or time.
-- Greg Lalas, Goal.com
During the match, Blanco was red-carded and caught on video punching United midfielder Clyde Simms in the ribs. He also allegedly eye-gouged Simms.
Sources told Goal.com that later, while being escorted to the locker room, Blanco head-butted United's field manager.
But on Thursday, the Fire denied the head-butt allegation, saying that Blanco's head grazed the United employee's face accidentally while the player was turning to leave the field.
Fire spokesman Gregg Elkin, who was not at the match, tells Goal.com, "[Blanco] stopped on the side of the field to pick up his things, then, when he was turning around, his forehead did make contact with the guy's cheek or jaw area." As far as any further action on the club's part, Elkin says they will wait for a ruling from the federation. "The federation has asked for video that D.C. apparently has and then that’s up to them."
As reported yesterday on Goal.com, D.C. United is sending video of the incidents to US Soccer. A US Soccer spokesman told Goal.com that the federation's disciplinary committee will meet soon to determine if Blanco should receive any punishment in addition to the one-game suspension carried by his red card. There is precedent for a longer suspension based on games or time.
-- Greg Lalas, Goal.com
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