Racing Louisville FC midfielder Ary Borges has been suspended for three additional matches after shoving the center referee following a recent match.
Borges, Brazilian international, had already served a one-match suspension on the weekend, after receiving a red card at the end of Louisville’s 3-3 draw against the Portland Thorns on April 27.
The match was marked by a record of 41 combined fouls, a new NWSL record.
The National Women’s Soccer League announced on Monday that its Disciplinary Committee issued an additional three-match suspension after reviewing the incident, which was deemed “serious misconduct in the game.”
The NWSL has a zero-tolerance policy regarding abuse of officials and will continue to uphold the integrity of the game and the expected conduct of all players, coaches, and club staff.
League Statement
Portland scored a penalty goal in the 10th minute of added time in the second half to tie the game 3-3.
Louisville led 3-1 in the first half before conceding penalties in added time of each half.
The Thorns’ equalizing goal came after a play in added time in which referee Corbyn May initially signaled a foul on Portland defender Reyna Reyes, but reversed the decision for a penalty in favor of the Thorns after video review showed that Louisville forward Emma Sears stepped on Reyes’ foot.
Racing Louisville assistant coach Sergio González was also sent off after the awarding of the second penalty.
After the match, Borges posted a story on his Instagram account calling May’s refereeing “a disgrace”.
Description of the publication: “At the level of this league, it is not acceptable to have someone directing a game as he did today.”
Thorns midfielder and Canada captain Jessie Fleming lamented both the refereeing and her opponents after the match.
I think that game can’t keep happening in this league. I think it’s embarrassing. It alters the game. It really alters the sport. I think it’s embarrassing for the league, and I think it’s embarrassing for Louisville as a club.
Jessie Fleming
Borges responded to Fleming’s comments on Instagram.
Description of the post: “For those who had two questionable penalties and spent the entire match diving in and around the penalty area, please take a moment to reflect and not talk about my team.”
On Monday, the NWSL Disciplinary Committee also issued an additional one-match suspension to Washington Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez for his actions in the 3-0 loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC on April 26.
Giráldez was sent off in added time. He served his suspension for the red card on Friday, in Washington’s 4-3 defeat to Angel City FC.
The NWSL Disciplinary Committee issued the additional suspension, which Giráldez will serve on Saturday against the Chicago Stars FC, because “he did not leave the field as required” after his ejection.
