The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended New York Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle and fined him an unrevealed amount due to his punch to Jefferson Mena when shoving in the box on a corner kick. The punch came in the 65th minute during the Red Bulls 2-0 win over New York City FC.
After the suspension came down Perrinelle retweeted Big Apple Soccer writer Michael Lewis’s tweet saying, “Breaking: MLS has suspended #RBNY defender @DamP_92 for 2 games.” He also retweeted fans opinions against his suspension. The Red Bulls did not release a tweet about it or make a statement. On the broadcast of the game Alexi Lalas said, “uh oh uh oh you can’t do that!”
Perrinelle, 31, joined the Red Bulls in 2014. This year he has one goal in 18 games played this season. In his Red Bulls career, he has one goal in 20 games. He only played two games last season for the Red Bulls. Before playing for the Red Bulls he played for FC Istres in Ligue 2 of France. The Red Bulls have not stated whether or not Perinelle will participate in the Red Bulls calling the season ticket holders activity.
Perinelle practically can make a Yellow Card collection as he has nine this season, which leads MLS. Earlier in the season he missed the Red Bulls game on August 5th against the Montreal Impact due to yellow card accumulation. With the suspension, Perinelle will miss the Red Bulls game on August 15th against Toronto FC and August 26th against the Chicago Fire.
This loss will hurt the Red Bulls against a good TFC team and an experienced Chicago team. In the standings the Red Bulls sit eight points back of D.C. United for first place, but DCU has played four more games than the Red Bulls. Prior to the game on Sunday against NYCFC the Red Bulls honored one of the greatest goalies in MetroStars/Red Bulls history, Tony Meola.
