MLS fines Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes for publicly criticizing referees

Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes has been fined an undisclosed amount for publicly criticizing MLS referees after Saturday’s loss in Colorado.

MLS commissioner Don Garber issued the fine Friday.

During a TV interview immediately after the loss Saturday, Vermes was irate with the referees’ failure to call a handball that would have negated Colorado’s first goal.

Sporting KC led 1-0 in the second half when Colorado’s Vicente Sanchez fell with his arm on the ball before he issued a pass that set up the goal. Colorado added another goal later in the half for the 2-1 final.

Vermes was candid with his thoughts in the live TV interview and then expanded on them in a postgame teleconference with reporters.

“Did we deserve more in the game? Yes,” he said. “Because the other team didn’t beat us. The impartial guys who are reffing the game, they are the ones that beat us.”

Garber also announced fines for LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter and Portland owner Merritt Paulson — all for public criticism of officiating.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 5:08 PM with the headline "MLS fines Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes for publicly criticizing referees."