Fans split on who’s to blame for throw-in that led to scuffle in Sporting KC match

Sporting Kansas City too often has given up an untimely goal this season, but this time they scored late and pulled out a victory.

Memo Rodriguez’s 82nd minute strike on Sunday night gave Sporting a 3-2 win over FC Dallas at Children’s Mercy Park. There were more fireworks, shortly before the final whistle.

Dallas’ Paul Arriola threw the ball off the head of Sporting KC’s Zorhan Bassong on a throw-in. Bassong naturally took exception and chest-bumped Arriola, who fell to the ground.

Bassong, who had a yellow card earlier in the match, was shown a straight red card and Arriola got a yellow. That led to a short scuffle on the sideline as teammates joined the fray.

Fans were split on who was to blame for the fracas. Here are key parts on FIFA’s rules on throw-ins (in italics).

“All opponents must stand at least 2 m (2 yds) from the point on the touchline where the throw-in is to be taken.”

Bassong was not 2 yards away.

“If a player, while correctly taking a throw-in, deliberately throws the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but not in a careless or a reckless manner or using excessive force, the referee allows play to continue.”

There is no question Arriola threw the ball in a reckless manner.

An opponent who unfairly distracts or impedes the thrower (including moving closer than 2 m [2 yds] to the place where the throw-in is to be taken) is cautioned for unsporting behaviour and if the throw-in has been taken an indirect free kick is awarded.

Bassong could have been given a yellow card for his actions before the throw-in but he was given a red for the violent conduct.

Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said Arriola should have been shown red, too. Here is what fans were saying on X.