Real Salt Lake head coach Mike Petke will face a multigame suspension and be fined up to $25,000 following his altercation last week with referees in a loss to Tigres in the Leagues Cup, sources tell ESPN FC.
Petke faces a ban of up to three matches, according to sources. Petke had already been suspended by MLS for this past Saturday’s match against FC Dallas.
The team was notified of the new suspension of Petke by the league after a meeting on Tuesday that included ownership. It will begin this Saturday when Real Salt Lake hosts New York City FC.
Petke received a red card on the way off the field for his treatment of the officiating crew at the conclusion of last Wednesday’s match against Liga MX side Tigres.
“I’m pulling five of my players away and I’m talking to my players,” Petke said after the 1-0 loss. “He [referee John Pitti] must have thought I was talking to him and then afterward I told him what I felt.”
In addition to the suspension and fine, Real Salt Lake mandated two weeks of no contact with the team, per a source.