Freak out: MLS suspends David Beckham one game

Major League Soccer suspended David Beckham one game for “confrontational and provocative behavior in the final minutes of the [Los Angeles Galaxy]’s 4-3 loss at Stanford Stadium,” which included kicking a ball at downed Sam Cronin and maybe, sort of getting into a fight with the San Jose Earthquakes mascot.

There will be plenty of talk about the suspension — whether it’s long enough (probably not), etc. etc. — but I vote we all just move on. Focusing on this incident for too long doesn’t do anyone any good.

Here’s the official statement:

NEW YORK – The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee handed LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham a one-game suspension on Thursday for actions that led to a scuffle during the team’s loss to the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday.

The Disciplinary Committee also fined Beckham an undisclosed amount for his role in the incident, during which he showed confrontational and provocative behavior in the final minutes of the team’s 4-3 loss at Stanford Stadium.

The Committee also stated that it considered his conduct unacceptable and detrimental to the league’s public image. Beckham will serve his suspension during the Galaxy’s matchup at the Chicago Fire on Sunday (3 pm ET, ESPN).

During a stoppage in play in the 93rd minute of the San Jose match, Beckham kicked a ball in the direction of San Jose midfielder Sam Cronin, who was on the ground in the Earthquakes’ penalty box. The ball struck Cronin and set off a near melee between players from the two teams, and Beckham was issued a yellow card for the incident.

Beckham served a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation on Wednesday during the Galaxy’s 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union.

The Committee also levied undisclosed fines for recent public criticism of the officials to LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena and Montreal head coach Jesse Marsch.