Real Salt Lake coach Mike Petke has been suspended for multiple games, fined $25,000 and must take anger management, sensitivity and diversity training.
Major League Soccer imposed the sanctions following an investigation into Petke’s confrontation with officials on the field after RSL’s Leagues Cup loss to Tigres UANL last Wednesday.
Petke received a red card from referee John Pitti, who he berated at midfield before being held back by RSL assistant coaches and goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Petke disputed the sending off in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
“Go back and look at the videotape. I’m pulling five of my players away. I’m talking to my players and he gives me a red card,” Petke said at the time. “He must have thought I was talking to him. I don’t know. Afterwards, it was just extra. I was telling him what I felt.
“All I was doing was grabbing my players. What I said afterwards would have gotten me a red card, but I said that after the red card.”
The League Cup Competition Committee banned Petke for three future Leagues Cup matches. MLS commissioner Don Garber also suspended him for three MLS matches, the first of which he served when RSL played to a 0-0 draw against FC Dallas Saturday, and issued the fine and anger management training.
“There is absolutely no place for this type of behavior in our society, and Major League Soccer does not tolerate the repugnant language used by Mr. Petke,” Garber said in a statement released Tuesday. “All MLS players, staff and fans must know that these comments are unacceptable, and I am extremely disappointed that a leader of one of our clubs used such insensitive language. We are committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect at all times.”
In addition, Real Salt Lake suspended Petke for two weeks from all club activities without pay for what they describe as “a recurring issue.” The club also ordered him to issue a written apology to MLS and Pitti.
“We hold everyone in our organization – particularly the leadership – to the highest standards and expect them to treat everyone with dignity and respect,” the club’s statement said. “We have the utmost respect for the referees, PRO and Major League Soccer and will be working with the league to ensure that everyone in our organization treats all referees, players, coaches and fans with dignity, respect civility and professionalism that is consistent with our values.
“Although we appreciate Coach Petke’s passion and drive to win, it should never come at the expense of those values.”