CARSON, Calif. – Bruce Arena knows that he’ll be without the services of midfielder Marcelo Sarvas against the Portland Timbers on June 19 due to ill-gotten yellow card, but is unlikely to prevent the LA Galaxy head coach from attempting to enact changes to the league’s officiating rules in the future.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee levied an undisclosed fine to Real Salt Lake midfielder Ned Grabavoy on Tuesday for his act of simulation that led to referee Drew Fischer to award a yellow card to Sarvas in the 91st minute of LA’s 3-1 defeat to RSL. The caution is Sarvas' fifth and will cause him to miss LA’s next match due to yellow card accumulation and while Grabavoy earned a fine for his misconduct due to league rules the call cannot be overturned.
Although Arena implored the officials to “reevaluate” the call after the match, the LA head coach understands that he has no way to overturn the call at this moment.
“That’s a rules issue. It’s a perfect example of how they have to get that corrected,” Arena told reporters on Wednesday.
Galaxy associate head coach Dave Sarachan also chimed in on the call offering his own solution to the issue.
"Maybe there should be some addendum to a fifth yellow in a moment of embellishment, maybe alleviate the suspension. Maybe that's something for review,” Sarachan said.
As for when it could be corrected, Arena admitted that the club will have to wait till next year to appeal for a rule change as it is a “federation issue.” However, the Galaxy boss was quick to admit that he’s not letting himself get frustrated over the call.
“In this league, if you worry about the officiating, you’ll drive yourself crazy, so we don’t have any issues. It is what it is. It’s a mistake and that’s life,” said Arena. “I’m more concerned, probably, about the referee in New England on the play that created the second goal than that one. Hopefully, these young officials are getting better, that’s the goal behind all of it.”
