Stoitchkov, although suspended by MLS was allowed to coach from the bench tonight during the DC v KC game. MLS has set a precedent with their new player/coach roster designation that is a crock. So now teams seeking not only cap relief from a major player and can now get half of his salary taken off their "cap" roster expendenditure, they can also choose how they want the person to represent the team at any specific time in a game. Either DC is in gross error about whether or not he should have been present on the bench and able to influence the game (which he was actively coaching players as well as giving the business to some of us fans), or the officials get a failing grade for this match for allowing him to be present on the bench. What happens if Hristo gets suspended from a match while on the bench. Based on what occurred tonight and MLS allowed to happen, reverse logic would then dictate he could then show up next week in a player role because DC could've claimed he was in a coaching role that week and wasn't going to play on the field. This is nitpicky but it is one of those situations where now every team will now declare this BS roster spot just to have the same competitive options with the cap and possible suspensions. Yes I know KC won anyway but that's not the point. The point is if an MLS "employee" is suspended, should he/she be allowed to be present at the game at all regardless of status? [rant]My thoughts are no... Otherwise every other Red Card/disceplinary suspension issued could now result in the player showing up as the assitant trainer the next game and potentially having an some sort of influence on the game itself. Whether it be on Linesmen, Refs, 4th official, bench, field players, lockeroom etc...[/rant]
I agree with your post. He shouldn't have been allowed on the bench, suspended as a player or a coach, the closest you should be to the field is in the stands eating hot dogs. MLS has definitely set a precedent, I would hope that they would come to their senses and try to reset it by not letting Hristo "coach" next week.
The banned as player, but allowed to coach aspect isn't as bad as the reverse. If what Hristo did is allowed to go then it will be hard for MLS to argue that you cannot play after being banned during coaching. So then a player/coach ban get a touchline ban for a game but still be on the bench as a "player" (who just happens to be telling others what to do). That would not be good so I think MLS should ban him from the bench also.