video: Clint Dempsey Given Red Card After Tearing Up Ref’s Notebook

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

GoLocalPDX Sports Team

Clint Dempsey. Photo courtesy of: Flickr/Eric Drost

Clint Dempsey, a striker for the Seattle Sounders, tore up a referee's notebook and was subsequently thrown out of his team's U.S... Open Cup game against the Portland Timbers on Tuesday night.

Dempsey, who also is the captain of the U.S. Men's National Team, received a yellow card just prior to the incident for protesting a decision that Referee Daniel Radford made.

Angered by the call, Dempsey then got a second yellow card and subsequent ejection when he tore the notebook to pieces and tossed it on the ground.

His team ultimately fell to the Timbers, 3-1, and finished the game with seven men after injuries and ejections took their toll.

More Could Come

Matters could get worse for Dempsey, though. According to the rules of the game, his action was technically assault on a referee.

Depending on how the United States Soccer Federation views the issue, Dempsey could be facing a lengthy suspension and hefty fine.

Related Slideshow: Timbers v. San Jose in Pictures

Despite a record-setting offensive night from the Timbers, a 3-3 draw was the final result against the visiting San Jose Earthquakes. Here are pictures from the game.