Inter Miami won’t have its coach on the sidelines for the Leagues Cup semifinal match next week, but it may not matter. Javier Mascherano appears to be just fine coaching from the stands.
How he does that is what’s sparking controversy.
How was Mascherano coaching from the stands?
Mascherano received a red card for arguing with the referee at the end of the first half of Wednesday’s match against Tigres de México. He was ejected, which meant he could stay in the stadium, just not on the field.
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The coach took a seat behind his team’s bench when the second half began, just 10 feet from the railing. During several big moments, Mascherano shouted at players and brazenly appeared to use his phone to communicate with his team.
The interactions were caught on the Apple TV broadcast, with analyst Taylor Twellman pointing out that it wasn’t much different from the coach being on the bench. Inter Miami’s lead assistant, Javier Morales, said he knew nothing about it.
“We didn’t expect the red card in the game, and they started to play well in that moment, and I didn’t see what was going on,” Morales said. “I was trying to communicate with Leandro, who was on the sideline, but to be honest, a lot of things happen on the bench.”
What are the rules about coaching after a red card?
Soccer social media exploded with clips from the broadcast showing the coach speaking into his phone, talking and gesturing towards the field. Down on the bench, assistant coach Lucas Rodriguez Pagano was also using his phone. Substitutions were made and instructions were relayed to players. Reporters were later informed that coaches who are shown red cards are not permitted to give instructions to coaches or players.
Tournament regulations posted on Major League Soccer’s website state that using “unauthorized electronic or communication equipment could result in a one to three match suspension.” The regulations also said “players and/or technical staff may only remain in dressing rooms, team suites or in an area isolated from spectators as approved by the Organizing Committee.”
A Leagues Cup spokesperson, however, later told The Athletic, “The Inter Miami head coach was located in a space designated according to tournament regulations. Cellphone communications are not prohibited per Leagues Cup regulations in this instance.”
Has this happened before?
The incident brings to mind an infamous move by former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, who was ejected from a game in July of 1999 only to return to the dugout in disguise, wearing sunglasses and a fake mustache. Valentine was caught and received a two-game suspension and a $5,000 fine.
Mascherano’s apparent influence from the stands worked. Miami, playing without injured superstar Lionel Messi, got two penalty kick goals from Luis Suárez in the match. The game winner came in the 89th minute.
Tournament officials will likely review Mascherano’s actions to determine if any additional penalties are warranted. He is already suspended for Miami’s semifinal match against Orlando FC for receiving a red card.
