Concacaf issues additional suspensions to McKennie, Dest, Arteaga and Montes

Concacaf announced additional suspensions and undisclosed fines for Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Gerardo Arteaga and Cesar Montes due to their participation in the physical altercation during the Nations League match between the US men’s national team and Mexico. 

The players initially received red cards and a one-match suspension, before the football organization increased each punishment. Defenders Dest and Arteaga will serve an additional two games, while McKennie and Montes are out for three. 

"These are added to the automatic suspensions of a match and must be met in Concacaf national team competitions," read the organization’s statement.

Concacaf also warned that "more severe sanctions could be imposed if incidents occur during their upcoming matches in Concacaf national team competitions."

U.S. Soccer confirmed the American players will complete their suspensions during the Gold Cup, despite not being registered as part of the participating roster.

It’s a bigger hit to Mexico, as Montes and Arteaga were planned to play a vital role in El Tri’s group stage clashes. Given the nature of the situation, the Mexican Football Federation has filed to appeal the new punishments. 

The initial incidents broke out in the 69th minute of the Nations League semi final match after Montes committed a harsh foul on American striker Folarin Balogun, setting off a confrontation between the El Tri defender and McKennie that resulted in immediate red cards. Frustrations then exploded between Dest and Arteaga as the two shoved each other before being forced off the pitch with additional red cards, leaving the two teams down to nine men. 

The USMNT went on to win 3-0 over Mexico, before defeating Canada in the final to lift their second consecutive Nations League trophy. The two countries will now shift focus to the Gold Cup, as the Stars and Stripes take on Jamaica on June 24 and Mexico face Honduras on June 25.