FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga (21) gestures after hitting his penalty kick in the MLS playoff match between the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., on Saturday, Nov.
Leagues, players’ unions, and officials’ unions often have some disagreements over disciplinary proceedings, and that’s understandable. But it’s rare to see one of those groups claim outright that another group lied. That’s what the MLS Players Association is doing towards the Professional Soccer Referees Association around discipline handed to FC Cincinnati’s Matt Miazga, though.
This stems from an incident with Miazga and officials after a Nov. 4 road match against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. Both sides agree that Miazga entered the officials’ dressing room after the match, which saw him given two yellow cards and receive an automatic one-game suspension. And they agree that Miazga had a verbal exchange with officials. That’s now led to the league suspending Miazga for three matches (which will include Saturday’s Eastern Conference Final against the Columbus Crew, potentially Dec. 9’s MLS Cup if FC Cincinnati makes it…
Miazga, the team, and the MLSPA strongly dispute those claims. Here’s the statement the union put out on this Thursday, including claims the match report and the PSRA statements “contained material falsehoods” and PSRA president Peter Manikowski “has continued to repeat them publicly.”
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