Fire-Sounders Fallout: Eddie Johnson Fined For 'Inappropriate Gesture' Toward Fans

Eddie Johnson Fined For 'Inappropriate Gesture' Toward Fire Fans

Seattle Sounders forward Eddie Johnson was fined an undisclosed amount by the MLS Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday for making an "inappropriate gesture" he made toward Chicago Fire fans. A fan video appears to show him making the gesture as he was walking off the field following Saturday's game.

"I sincerely apologize to the Chicago fans, my teammates, MLS, and the Sounders' supporters for my actions and poor judgment I used on Saturday," Johnson said in a statement released by the team. "It was a very emotional game and I let my emotions get the best of me. That is not acceptable and I take full responsibility for my actions. I am truly sorry this took attention away from the success of our team after a great win in Chicago."

Emotions were particularly high following this game, as a scuffle broke out between the two teams that lasted several minutes. Fire defender Jalil Anibaba was shown a red card for his tackle just after the final whistle and Frank Klopas was dismissed for using abusive language toward the officials.

Details Emerge On Jalil Anibaba, Frank Klopas Suspensions

Jalil Anibaba was shown a red card for his challenge of Leo Gonzalez at the whistle and Frank Klopas was "dismissed" for abusive language toward an official following Saturday's game between the Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire, an MLS official confirmed to SBN Soccer. Earlier today, it had been revealed that both the player and coach would have to serve at least one-game suspensions because of their involvement in a post-match fracas, but the exact reasoning was not made apparent until now.

In post-game comments to the press, Anibaba sounded unaware that he had received a red card.

"I went in to make a play on the ball and it turned into a scuffle," Anibaba said on Saturday. "It was a hard fought match and emotions run high, but there was nothing malicious on either end. In the heat of the moment things are said, but again, it was not malicious – it was just two teams competing hard."

Klopas also sounded unaware of his dismissal, but was clearly unhappy with some of the referee's decisions.

"I don’t want to complain with the refereeing because it all evens out," Klopas said. "But you look at Grazzini who is a playmaker, and he probably has the most yellow cards on our team. You figure that one out… he gets kicked the most and he never gets a call. It’s not easy for other teams to get the ball but… it is what it is. You have to move on and sometimes things even out, but sometimes you feel that there are fouls that they do miss, and they call the second one out of reaction. I think those things even out, but when you look at all the games we’ve played, Grazzini is probably the guy that has been kicked the most, but he’s the one that ends up with the yellow cards."

Jalil Anibaba, Frank Klopas Suspended At Least One Game

Jalil Anibaba issued red card, Frank Klopas 'dismissed' following Fire's game against the Sounders on Saturday.