Futty fined and suspended by MLS Disciplinary Committee

The Major League Soccer’s Disciplinary Committee has decided to suspend Gambia international and Portland Timbers centerback Mamadou “Futty” Danso for one game and fined him an undisclosed amount for his hard tackle on Houston’s Caleb Carr during the Timbers scoreless draw against the Dynamo.

The league handed down the discipline for what it said was Danso “striking (Carr) across the head” during the 82nd minute of the game. Futty Danso will sit out the Timbers’ home game against Chicago Fire Sunday.

Needless to say, Portland coach John Spencer doesn’t agree with the decision. “I don’t want to say what I think about that, because I don’t want to get fined,” Spencer said. Futty Danso chased down Carr as the Houston forward was streaking toward the goal (watch video of play here). The two collided and video replays appear to show that Futty kicked the ball first before the collision.

And Futty appears to whack Carr across the head. The referee and assistant referee did not call a foul on the play. However, the league has stated that it will review hard tackles and take disciplinary action if needed to cut down on reckless tackles and collisions.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee also announced that FC Dallas star Brek Shea will face a three-game suspension for kicking a ball at an assistant referee during a match last Saturday.

The Disciplinary Committee has said that fines collected will be donated to the charitable partners of MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the MLS Players Union.