Why was Erik Godoy's red card forgiven?

The Argentinian defender Erik Godoy was sent off last Wednesday during the San José Earthquakes triumph 3-0 over Vancouver Whitecaps. Judge Allen Chapman thought Godoy had hit the Quakes's captain Jackson Yueill a received an immediate red card. Now, an Independent Review Panel had rescinds the resolution.

It happens that, when looking closely to the video, it can be noticed that Godoy didn't punch Yueill, or at list his punch didn't provoked Jackson's falling. In this sense, the Panel ruled that his red card will be dismissed and so Godoy is now eligible for coach Marc Dos Santos for Saturday's game against Real Salt Lake City FC.

The Independent Review Panel was composed by one representative from the U.S. Soccer Federation, one representative from the Canadian Soccer Association, and one representative from the Professional Referees Organization (PRO). Of course, the fine that would have been charged on Godoy for receiving a red card was also dismissed.

On the other hand, thee MLS Disciplinary Committee fined Erik Godoy for not leaving the field timely and orderly after receiving the red card. Although it was Chapman's decision what produced the Argentinian defender to yell at him, Godoy's reaction was bad, so he will have to pay an undisclosed fine.