MASL boots San Diego Sockers player after incident with fans in Milwaukee

The Major Arena Soccer League expelled one San Diego Sockers player, suspended two others and fined two more in the aftermath of altercations following the team’s game against the Milwaukee Wave on April 22 at the UWM Panther Arena.

Additionally, both clubs have been fined, the league announced April 23, and efforts are ongoing to identify spectators who were involved.

The penalties mean that for Game 2 of the three-game Ron Newman Cup championship series April 24, the Sockers will be without three players who were among their top 10 scorers in the regular season and two of their top eight scorers in the playoffs.

The trouble stemmed from an incident late in the Sockers’ 5-4 victory in which Sockers defender Cesar Cerda kicked Wave defender Tony Walls in the groin. The traditional handshake line turned contentious, and then jeering elevated to spectators hurling debris and drinks at Sockers players and players retaliating.

Defender Stefan Mijatovic, who was signed by the Sockers as a free agent in March, has been permanently expelled from the league and banned from all MASL activities and facilities.

Mijatovic was on league probation after an incident Dec. 12 in a game against the Wave while he was a member of the Kansas City Comets. Mijatovic was seen stepping and standing on an opponent who was on the ground after a foul.

Sockers midfielder Luiz Morales and forward Jesus Pacheco were suspended for one game each and fined an undisclosed amount for “severe and violent conduct.”

Sebastian Mendez was fined an undisclosed amount for “severe and violent conduct” and Tavoy Morgan was fined an undisclosed amount for severe and violent conduct while on probation.

An appeal to rescind Cerda’s red card and automatic one-game suspension was rejected.

The teams were fined for actions detrimental to the league for “failure to maintain proper bench and postgame decorum.” In addition to players, staff members from each team were seen in the area of the conflict between the field and Sockers dressing room, although it was largely unclear if any were involved or trying to prevent escalation.

The MASL said it is working in coordination with the teams, Wisconsin Center District security, arena security and law enforcement to identify spectators involved. Those identified will face indefinite bans from MASL events and UWM Panther Arena events and may face legal implications.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MASL disciplines Sockers, Wave after postgame incident involving fans