Breakers' Latham Suspended, DiCicco Fined

WPS Takes Action From Incidents in Game Against Washington

May 21, 2009

The WPS Disciplinary Committee has suspended Boston Breakers forward Christine Latham for two games and fined her $250 for an elbow thrown in the 51st minute of the Breakers� 1-1 draw against the Washington Freedom Sunday.

Christine Latham

Christine Latham will miss the Breakers' games against Sky Blue FC (May 31) and Saint Louis Athletica (June 14). (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

The Committee also fined head coach Tony DiCicco $750 for his postgame comments regarding the performance of referee Dallas Malhiwsky. The league�s official statement admonished DiCicco for �having an effect prejudicial and detrimental to WPS including public criticism of game officials and WPS officiating generally.�

DiCicco said, among other things: �It's just not good enough� They're over their head. They have to learn, just like the players have to learn to play at this level and coaches have to learn coaching at this level, and the refereeing has to get better at this level� I think there were a lot fouls and there are things that happen on the field and you can foul and you can play on and she didn't even see what the play-ons were, and I don't think the assistant referees helped them. So it's something the league has to be concerned about, and I'm willing to take a fine to make the statement on it."

DiCicco will also be required to do four hours of �community service in the sport of soccer.�

Freedom midfielder Joanna Lohman was suspended for one game for an elbow thrown in the 90th minute of the same game.