Sometimes League guidelines should take into account context. Last night Kaka' received a red card for "violent conduct" which to anyone familiar with the former Milan legend sounds like Fake News, but it indeed happened. In the final minutes of Orlando City's match against the Red Bulls, players from both teams were seen came together with some light pushing and shoving- as the teams were beginning to separate, Kaka' put his hands around the mouth of Red Bull's defender Aurelian Collin.
At this point MLS' new video review was called into play, just a week after the new guidelines for VAR reviews were implemented. Referee Jorge Gonzalez reviewed the confrontation on the sideline and decided to expel Kaka' for violent conduct. But this is where the context is important- Kaka' and Aurelien Collin are friends and were teammates at Orlando City before the French defender was traded to the New York Red Bulls- there certainly wasn't in any malice in his actions.
After the match Orlando City keeper Joe Bendik had this to say about the incident:"Obviously the referee didn't know that Ricky (Kaka') and Aurelien are close friends, but when they look at it and they see each other smiling- he told the Orlando Sentinel- I don't know the referee is doing what he's got to do. A little bit unfortunate"
While Kaka' is expected to be suspended, Orlando City will almost certainly appeal the ruling by providing the context to the incident- will the rule of law be taken literally or will nuance provide the grounds to win the appeal?
