Real Salt Lake: Kreis fined, suspended for criticizing referees
In an exclusive interview with the News on Monday, Kreis was very critical of MLS officiating several days after his team's 2-2 draw with the L.A. Galaxy.
"After three successive weeks of game-changing decisions, it's time we vent a little bit and put things right," said Kreis. "I have a team doing their best to reward fans through a frustrating time and a frustrating few years. I feel the players are doing what they need to, the coaching staff is doing what they do, but being wronged by critical referee decisions is unacceptable."
Those comments, among several others left the league no choice but to suspend Kreis for Saturday's home match against FC Dallas, according to MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis.
"It's very unfair for a coach to vent frustration by publicly criticizing those who have no forum to respond," said Gazidis. "In many instances, the criticism are unfounded and unfair. Clearly referees make mistakes, that happens in games all around the world."
"You have to have an effective deterrent, if fines aren't the deterrent, then the only other one is suspensions," said Gazidis.
The suspension was also necessary, according to Gazidis, to help further maintain civility within the league.
About five years ago Gazidis said there was a real concern around the league about the lack of respect shown toward officials on the field. It created an environment that made it difficult for the refs to do their jobs, according to Gazidis.
That's when the league started respect initiatives, and the league has noticed improved behavior around the league as a result; fines for dissent have gone down as well.
Prior to the start of the 2008 season Gazidis said MLS spoke with every team and emphasized the positive progress of the respect initiatives.
"We asked for the continued leadership from coaches, seeking their support in particular to improve bench behavior and public commentary about officials," said Gazidis.
Even though Gazidis admits mistakes are made by MLS officials, he believes U.S. Soccer, which oversees MLS officials has taken positive steps the past several years to improve the product on the field.
This includes hiring four full-time officials and creating a backup and support system in which all controversial calls are reviewed. If the performance isn't up to league standards, those officials are relegated to lower leagues by U.S. Soccer.
"There is accountability and extensive reviews, and they've been very supported in that process," said Gazidis. "The consensus is it's taking a big step forward around the league and we're reaping the reward of that investment."
This is actually Kreis' second suspension. He received an 89th-minute red card for yelling at a ref during a match last June, and subsequently watched RSL's next match from the L.A. Galaxy press box.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com
Recent comments
back to coach kreis. TYPICAL UTAH FAN NOT GOING TO GAMES UNLESS...
Anonymous | May 9, 2008 at 10:24 p.m.
I am thinking about suing the ref and MLS for intentional infliction...
I will sue | May 9, 2008 at 1:49 p.m.
Think about it folks, RSL has to start winning and winning big or...
Coach Kreis | May 9, 2008 at 12:14 p.m.
