FIFA Slaps Mexico's Marquez With Two-Match Ban

Mexico skipper Rafael Marquez, as well as assistant coach Francisco Ramirez, were handed two-match bans for their respective unsporting and dishonorable acts against the United States on Feb. 11.

Mar 17, 2009 1:38:47 PM

More On :  Mexico
Rafael Marquez - USA-Mexico (Mexsport)
During and after their game against the United States, Mexico committed some unpardonable acts. To that end, FIFA slapped a two-match ban on the offenders.

Rafael Marquez and Francisco Ramirez were suspended for two games by FIFA and neither will be able to play a role in Mexico's World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica on March 28 and at Honduras on April 1.
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Marquez was sent off in the second half for a vicious challenge on U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard and was automatically suspended for the Costa Rica encounter, but FIFA apparently felt his act deserved another game.

Ramirez, meanwhile, was the victim of an apparent mental lapse. The Mexican assistant coach slapped U.S. defender Frankie Hejduk in the tunnel after the game. Apparently, Ramirez felt Hejduk's words were directed at him and not in celebrating with fans. Ramirez will not be allowed on the sidelines nor will he have any access to the locker room.

Mexico lost to the United States 2-0 and in Costa Rica and Honduras face teams in places they dropped games during the 2001 Hexagonal. Mexico lost at home to Costa Rica in June of that year and followed it up with a 3-1 loss at Honduras.

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