The USL suspended Lights FC technical director Jose Luis Sanchez Sola seven games. Sola made contact with an official after last Friday’s 3-1 loss to San Antonio FC. My finger did make contact one time with the referee, for which I want to apologize many times. But my action and my only intention was to point to him. Without intention, and with one finger, you can’t hurt anyone. I made a mistake in touching the referee with my finger. It will not happen again. Sola will be eligible to return to the sidelines on June 16 as of now. The Lights are appealing his suspension. Obviously, no one should ever touch a referee. And obviously, we don’t condone the behavior. However, there are clear differences between a poke and something more serious. I have personally spoken with multiple eyewitnesses, all of whom corroborate (Sola’s) version of the events. We look forward to the appeal process and will respect the decision of the Independent Discipline Panel once it is rendered. Again, the incident never should have happened, and (Sola) was the first person to say so afterwards.
