The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsSeattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey has been banned for two years from the US Open cup after being sent off in their defeat against Portland Timbers after ripping up the referee’s notebook.
Former Liverpool and Fulham striker Dempsey, who is also the national team captain saw the red mist descend after a teammate was sent off in their 3-1 cup defeat, flicking the referee’s notebook out of his hand and then ripping it up. Dempsey was subsequently shown the red card and has now been banned for two years or six cup matches, whichever come first, as well as accepting a three match ban in the MLS.
Dempsey has apologised for his actions in the fixture which saw the Seattle Sounders reduced to 7 men after three sending off’s and an injury to striker Obafemi Martin’s after all three substitutions had been used.
The former Spurs man now aged 33, returned to the MLS in 2013 and had a brief spell back on loan at Fulham in the MLS off season. He had to be restrained when leaving the pitch and sarcastically applauded the assistant referee as he was leaving the pitch.
