Clint Dempsey Suspended 3 Matches, Can Play in Gold Cup

Clint Dempsey has been suspended for three matches by MLS, for tearing up the referee’s notebook during a U.S. Open Cup match. Dempsey will miss the Sounders’ next three matches through June 28. That will leave him eligible to play in the Gold Cup. This suspension is shorter than many anticipated.

Here is the statute that governs Dempsey’s discipline.

Per the statute, Dempsey’s offense appears to be on the border. It was either a strong case of “referee abuse” or a slight case of “referee assault.” If you’re not fixated on the notebook being “personal property,” his actions were more akin to spitting on or verbally threatening the referee vs. committing an assault upon the referee. Much more extreme petulance than malice.

If Dempsey is paid by MLS match, the suspension will cost him about $591,000.