Referee Jair Marrufo Gets a One-Game “Chance to Clear His Head” (Which is NOT a Suspension!) after Blanco Shirt Incident

By: Laurie | April 30th, 2009

One jersey. Many problems.

As reported by our Chicago Offside blogger Irish Steve, referee Jair Marrufo has been suspended for this week’s matches after Chicago’s controversial comeback against Columbus. Seems Marrufo left the stadium carrying Chicago DP Cuauhtemoc Blanco’s jersey.

Except it’s not actually a real suspension, of course. Because that would be way too straightforward.

Multiple witnesses reported seeing Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco broach the entrance to the referees’ locker room following the game with a Fire jersey in his hand. He reportedly tossed the jersey into the room occupied by Jair Marrufo and his assistant referees.

Blanco was seen chatting with Marrufo before the game and witnesses said he later yelled at the referee and his crew outside the locker rooms at halftime.

Marrufo issued a controversial red card to Crew defender Gino Padula for a foul on Blanco in the second half. It was Padula’s first foul of the game.

The Crew led 2-0 before Padula’s ejection but allowed two goals late in the game while it played at a man disadvantage.

Honest mistake, right? I mean, how was Marrufo supposed to know it was Blanco’s game jersey? Just because it smells like sweat and has, y’know, Blanco’s name and number on it?

Worst part is, Marrufo is one of our best.

U.S. Soccer provides referees to MLS. Marrufo is considered one of the best after being named the 2008 MLS referee of the year. He was one of four referees hired full-time by the federation in 2007 in an effort to increase the quality of officiating in the U.S. and is a candidate to referee in the 2010 World Cup.

Why can’t these things happen to the referees who suck? is what I want to know.

What’s really odd here, though, is that The US Soccer Federation has examined the situation and decided that Marrufo won’t face punishment. I mean aside from the fact that he won’t be handling any games this weekend. Which is NOT a punishment. Or a suspension. Got it? It’s merely “a chance for him to clear his head a little bit.”

“(Marrufo) was informed his actions were unacceptable,” U.S. Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe said. “He agreed he made an error in judgment in accepting the jersey after the match. He’s not being suspended. (Pulling him off a game) is a chance for him to clear his head a little bit.”

Buethe said Marrufo never asked for the jersey and that Marrufo’s family has known Blanco for many years. “(Blanco) tossed him the jersey and he caught it,” Buethe said. “He understands now he should have handed it back.”

Uh-huh. Yeah. Thanks, guys, for that, and for doing that whole “upholding the integrity of the game” thing, etc. I’m guessing Gino Padula will be cheerfully agreeing with you as he’s serving out his suspension.

Or…wait. Maybe he’s just clearing his head, too.

I am so confused.

UPDATE: Right after I hit “publish” on this post, I got a link to this interview with the Crew’s Technical Director, Brian Bliss, from Prost Amerika. His opinion?

He told Prost Amerika Soccer, “I don’t believe this is the club’s position (that Blanco succeeded in influencing the referee’s impartiality) or that there was intent from Blanco or Marrufo, but there will always be some doubt. We are all human and can always be subconsciously affected weather there was intent or not. In order to make sure the correct message is sent, we feel a significant suspension of the referee would be fair.”

What do you think of the incident and the non-suspension?