MLS investigating Miazga for entering refs’ locker room

FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga is being investigated by MLS over allegations he gained unauthorized entry to the officers’ locker room following his workforce’s playoff win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, a number of sources informed ESPN.

The Philadelphia Inquirer was the primary to report the information. An FC Cincinnati spokesperson declined to remark.

In a press release, MLS mentioned: “Major League Soccer is aware of the report of a player gaining unauthorized access into the officials’ locker room following the New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati match at Red Bull Arena on November 4, 2023. The safety of PRO officials must never be compromised and an investigation into this matter is being conducted.”

Miazga is already suspended for Cincinnati’s subsequent playoff match towards both the Philadelphia Union or the New England Revolution, after he was booked thrice over the course of two matches of FCC’s sequence win over the Red Bulls.

In Saturday’s match, which FCC received in a penalty shootout to take the sequence, he was booked for dissent after referee Victor Rivas had blown his whistle for full time. Miazga, a former Red Bulls participant, was cautioned once more when, after changing his shootout try, he was blowing kisses and saying “I love you” to Red Bulls supporters.

In a social media posting on X, previously generally known as Twitter, the Professional Soccer Referees Association, the labor union that represents MLS referees, said that an unidentified participant “was forcibly removed by stadium security while acting in an aggressive & hostile manner.”

Multiple sources confirmed that Miazga was the participant referred to within the posting.

A supply with direct data of the incident confirmed a Cincinnati Enquirer report, contending that stadium safety wasn’t concerned, nor was pressure required to take away Miazga.

But PSRA president and enterprise agent Peter Manikowski informed ESPN through textual content message, “I have seen a copy of the match report. It clearly states the player was in the locker room and stadium security had to forcibly remove the player from the locker room.” If Miazga is discovered to have violated league guidelines, it’s unclear what additional self-discipline he may face.

If Miazga is discovered to have violated league guidelines, it’s unclear what additional self-discipline he may face. It is U.S. Soccer Federation coverage that if a participant is discovered to have engaged in referee abuse, it’s a minimal three-game suspension.

An MLS spokesperson added: “Major fines and/or suspensions are at the sole and absolute discretion of the League Office and shall be levied against players, coaches, or other team officials for conduct detrimental to MLS (whether or not they were cautioned by the referee for such match conduct).”

Cincinnati’s subsequent recreation within the Eastern Conference semifinals will happen on both Nov. 25 or Nov. 26.