[mjlee22]

In about the 60th minute of the Sep-19 game between the Galaxy and Toronto FC, David Beckham chest butted Amado Guevara right in front of Kevin Stott, close to the halfway line. Stott showed yellows to both players.

Is a chest butt not considered striking? I think the convention in MLS games is that any touch to the face is an ejection, but what about a chest butt? It seems to me that is just as inciteful. Did the two stars get a free pass or what?

-mj

[PVancouver]

Even if you consider the offense to be striking (I would consider it charging, but...), it isn't necessarily a send-off offense, and USSF generally does not normally see this type of action to be violent conduct. It depends on what you use to strike with, what it is you strike, and the amount of force used.

"Did the two stars get a free pass?" No.

Actually, I don't believe Guevara deserved a caution. Apparently he got his for displeasing Beckham.

[DadOf6]

Originally Posted by mjlee22

In about the 60th minute of the Sep-19 game between the Galaxy and Toronto FC, David Beckham chest butted Amado Guevara right in front of Kevin Stott, close to the halfway line. Stott showed yellows to both players.

Is a chest butt not considered striking? I think the convention in MLS games is that any touch to the face is an ejection, but what about a chest butt? It seems to me that is just as inciteful. Did the two stars get a free pass or what?

-mj

I would probably consider a chest bump as a form of charging.

But this wasn't a foul. A foul must be against an opponent, on the field of play, and while the ball is live.

Guevara fouled Beckham and the referee called it. So the ball was dead after the foul. So the choices are a caution for unsporting behaviour or a send off for violent conduct.

NOTE: The next part is oversimplified.

For violent conduct we are looking for intent to injure or the liklihood of injury. Or we are looking for actions that FIFA or the USSF have specifically said should result in a sending off (the infamous finger to the forehead, for example).

If the referee decides to punish a heated physical exchange he will usually caution the player(s). That is what the "game disrepute" flavor of USB is for.

There is a gray are where the ref may issue a caution or he may just give an @$$ chewing. There is also a gray area where he may caution or he may send off.

More factors to consider: If Beckham were sent off for VC the league would automatically consider suspending him for more than one match. How many extra games is a chest bump worth?

He was the victim of a reckless foul, a foul with no regard for his safety. The punishment for a reckless foul is a cuation. Is a chest bump worthy of a greater penalty?

I think two yellows is justifiable.

[mjlee22]

Originally Posted by DadOf6

I would probably consider a chest bump as a form of charging.
... He was the victim of a reckless foul, a foul with no regard for his safety. The punishment for a reckless foul is a cuation. Is a chest bump worthy of a greater penalty?

I think two yellows is justifiable.

I had a brain fart, I meant to say VC, not striking. I deleted that game already from my DVR, so I can't check it, but I don't recall how Amado fouled Becks. But thanks for your thoughtful opinion. It sounds like, amongst men, a chest butt is kind of like pushing a guy in the chest. I.e., might or might not get a caution.

[mdref]

That's the classic definition of Game Disrepute.