Sembroni Ejected for Head Stomp
With two NISA matches this weekend, both between opponents who share geography, it was expected that we’d get some great soccer. This evening, New Amsterdam FC hosted NY Cosmos for the first regular season match between the two clubs. The match was a tight one, with NAFC scoring first, but Cosmos equalized before halftime. In the second half, with the Cosmos up a goal in the 56th minute, there was a red card that overshadowed any other result.
After a failed attempt at a quick pivot in attack that didn’t come off, Emmanuele Sembroni, spun around with a typical reaction of a player that wanted to make up for a lost possession. He attacked aggressively trying to win the ball back, but when that failed, he tripped Daniel Vicente, then as he stepped over him, Sambroni clearly stomps back on to Vicente’s head. The referee was approaching when it happened and immediately red carded Sembroni, while Vicente laid, writhing on the ground. According to The Dutchies, he received stitches after the match.
Photos from the match, shared by The Dutches (a NAFC SG), show a deep gash in the back of Vicente’s head. No word yet from the league, but Erik Stover of the Cosmos put out this statement. “The stomping incident by Emmanuele Sembroni in tonight’s match is not consistent with the values of this club. We would like to apologize to New Amsterdam and Danny Vicente, and wish Danny a speedy recovery. NISA has a process for managing on the field incidents, and we have been notified that a review will be conducted. The Cosmos will not appeal the decision made by the NISA disciplinary committee.”
For a new league, trying to make an impression, this is not the look. We’d expect swift and aggressive action from the league.
- Dan Vaughn