BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been suspended from playing in the U.S. Open Cup for six games or two years, whichever comes first, for his actions in the Chicago Fire's Open Cup loss to D.C. United July 8.
Blanco, 35, received a red card in the Open Cup game after getting involved in a late-game scuffle with United players. Upon receiving the red card, Blanco did not leave the field in a timely manner, officials said, and then reportedly head-butted a United team official trying to get him off the field.
The suspension affects only Open Cup play, sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation. It does not affect Blanco's standing in Major League Soccer, unless the league decides to make a separate disciplinary action for conduct unbecoming the league.
The incident was reviewed by the USSF's Adjudication and Discipline Panel, a five-person panel that heard from the match referees, United officials and Blanco in a meeting on July 29.
Blanco cannot play in either 2009 or 2010, and possibly longer depending on the number of games Blanco's team participates in the tournament in those years. The Fire will play its next Open Cup game some time next summer after being eliminated by United this year.
Blanco was not in the starting lineup against Everton Wednesday and he is not available for selection for the team's next MLS game Saturday against Chivas USA due to yellow card accumulation.
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