MLS investigating alleged post-match incident involving FC Cincinnati's Matt Miazga

Major League Soccer is investigating an allegation stemming from FC Cincinnati's playoff match Saturday against New York Red Bulls. The alleged incident centers around FC Cincinnati center back Matt Miazga's post-match behavior and was brought to light in a Tuesday thread on X, formerly Twitter, posted by the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), but details of the organization's allegation are being disputed.

The controversy was touched off by PSRA's Tuesday thread in which it stated an unnamed player forcibly entered the referees' locker room following the Cincinnati-Red Bulls match and needed to be forcibly removed by Red Bull Arena stadium security while acting in an "aggressive and hostile manner."

The PSRA, which is the referees' union, called for MLS to take appropriate disciplinary action. "This is an unacceptable and, as we recall, unprecedented violation of league policy and sporting integrity," the PSRA stated in its thread via X. "Violations like this will not be tolerated."

The incident hadn't been reported publicly until the PSRA posted its thread Tuesday around noon. The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported Miazga was the player in question. The Enquirer had reported no Red Bulls players were involved in the alleged incident, and later confirmed Miazga was the player in question.

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Exactly how forcible Miazga was during the exchange with the refereeing crew as he sought a post-match dialogue regarding the second yellow card he received in the match was called into question.

A league source with direct knowledge of the events at Red Bull Arena took issue with the characterization of Miazga being aggressive and hostile while forcibly removed, telling The Enquirer stadium security was not involved and a member of FC Cincinnati's communications department helped move Miazga along from the area of the referees' locker room.

The source indicated force was not required to remove Miazga from the situation.

Following the match, Miazga was facing the prospect of a one-match suspension for accumulating three yellow cards over the first two postseason matches. He received his first during the Oct. 29 playoff opener and the second following the whistle signaling the end of the 90-plus minutes on Saturday.

His third card of the postseason, and the one that triggered his suspension, was the result of gestures directed toward New York supporters during the Saturday's decisive penalty kicks.

During a post-match interview, Miazga argued against the two yellow cards he received. He did not mention any further post-match exchanges or encounters with the Victor Rivas-led officiating crew.

Of the yellow cards he received in the match, Miazga said:  "I'm annoyed. The referee gave me a yellow card. For what? I went to my fans that I played for since I was 14 years old and gave them a heart. I gave them a heart and I was showing them my love. I get a yellow card for that? For what? For what?And I have to take (that) and I'm suspended now. . . . And after the game he gives me a yellow card because I asked 'what the hell are you doing?' Everyone's yelling at the referee. Yeah, of course. I feel singled-out. I was speaking to (Rivas) the whole game normally. He's talking to me nicely all game."

No timeline for concluding the investigation was issued.

FC Cincinnati was the first club to advance from the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs after it swept its best-of-three series against the Red Bulls, 2-0. The first round is scheduled to last through Nov. 12. FC Cincinnati won't play its next game prior to Nov. 25 and is unlikely to learn the date of its next match until all the first-round series are completed.

In a statement from the league office, MLS officials did not confirm Miazga was at the center of its investigation but said: "Major League Soccer is aware of the report of a player gaining unauthorized access into the officials’ locker room following the New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati match at Red Bull Arena on November 4, 2023. The safety of PRO officials must never be compromised and an investigation into this matter is being conducted."

An official from the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) declined to comment, deferring to the PRSA.

PSRA did not respond to The Enquirer's Tuesday request for comment.

The Enquirer will update this story.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: MLS is investigating FC Cincinnati's Matt Miazga after PSRA allegation