Chicago's Francisco Calvo has red card rescinded; Disciplinary Committee fines five

Fire's Calvo has red card rescinded; DisCo fines five

Francisco Calvo - Chicago Fire - solo - Oct. 7, 2020

The Independent Review Panel has ruled on one red card appeal from Week 21 of the MLS regular season, while the MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined five individuals and one team following Week 20 and Week 21 action.


Calvo red card appeal

The Independent Review Panel, consisting of one representative each from the U.S. Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and one nominated by the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) has unanimously rescinded the one-game suspension and accompanying fine for the red card issued to Chicago Fire defender Francisco Calvo in the 37th minute of Chicago’s match against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.


Calvo is now eligible to play in the Fire’s next regular season game against the Nashville SC on Saturday, Oct. 31.


Each club is entitled to two unsuccessful appeals per season, including the MLS Cup Playoffs. Since Chicago’s appeal was successful, the club maintains its two unsuccessful appeals for any future red cards in the 2020 season.


Valeri simulation/embellishment

The Disciplinary Committee has found Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri guilty of simulation/embellishment for his actions in the 54th minute of Portland's match against Seattle on Oct. 22. As a result, Valeri has been fined an undisclosed amount.


Bizama simulation/embellishment

The Disciplinary Committee has found Houston Dynamo defender Jose Bizama guilty of simulation/embellishment for his actions in the 85th minute of Houston's match against LAFC on Oct. 28. As a result, Bizama has been fined an undisclosed amount.


Additionally, the yellow card that LAFC midfielder Latif Blessing received as a result of this incident will be absolved from his yellow card accumulation total and any disciplinary points from LAFC’s total will be dismissed.


Vera failure to leave the field

The Disciplinary Committee has fined Houston midfielder Matias Vera an undisclosed amount for failure to leave the field after his red card in the 59th minute of Houston's match against LAFC on Oct. 28.


Inter Miami mass confrontation

The Disciplinary Committee has found Inter Miami in violation of the league's mass confrontation policy during the 57th minute of their match against FC Dallas on Oct. 28. This is Miami's second violation of the policy this season, and the organization and head coach Diego Alonso have been fined an undisclosed amount for their actions.


Calvo failure to leave the field

The Disciplinary Committee has fined Chicago defender Francisco Calvo an undisclosed amount for his failure to leave the field in a timely manner after receiving a red card in the 37th minute of Chicago’s match against the Philadelphia on Oct. 28.