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Telfer Receives Additional Two Match Ban From Canada Soccer
By Atletico Ottawa forwarded Ryan Telfer has received an additional two match ban from Canada Soccer following his red card incident last weekend, bringing his total suspension to five games.
The 27-year-old Trinidad and Tobago was also fined an undisclosed amount.
The decision comes as a result of Telfer’s on-pitch outburst after he received a red card in a match against the Halifax Wanderers on August 29, with the winger flipping off either the referee or Joao Morelli as he received his marching orders.
According to Canada Soccer, Telfer had also berated the fourth official en route to the locker room, and returned to the tunnel to confront officials at half time.
Telfer apologized for his actions on Tuesday, stating that he let his emotions get the best of him, will face the consequences of his actions, and will look to redeem himself both on and off the pitch.
The last time a Canadian Premier League player had to apologize for an on-pitch outburst was when former Valour Captain Jordan Murrell kicked an assistant’s table in anger and shoved a security guard out of his way after being sent off in 2019.
Telfer’s automatic suspension through the red card offense was for three matches, with last night’s decision from Canada Soccer bringing his total match suspension to five.
Atletico Ottawa battled to a 2-2 draw at home against York United without the forward on Wednesday, with the club playing a front three consisting of Rafael Nunez, Brian Wright, and Malcolm Shaw.
Telfer has made seven appearances for Atletico Ottawa this season, having scored his first goal in red-and-white against the Wanderers back in early August.
The former Toronto FC man had introduced himself to the CPL in some style back in 2019 while on loan with York9 FC (now York United), scoring the league’s first-ever goal and finishing the inaugural campaign with ten goals across all competitions. He also grabbed an assist for Toronto FC during a few minutes on the pitch during a one-match emergency loan recall.
After the COVID-19 pandemic nixed a move to Cyprus, he signed for York United last season for what was ultimately a much quieter campaign with zero goals and assists before moving to Atletico Ottawa this season.
Having missed most of the bubbled start to the season due to international duty, Telfer featured in six matches outside of the bubble before his five game suspension, which will see him off of the team sheet until Atletico Ottawa hosts Cavalry FC on September 25.
With the capital city club currently dead last in league standings after fifteen games played, losing the veteran forward will be a big blow for a team that has only scored about one goal per match this season, conceding nearly twice that much.
The second half of the season is set to be a defining time for the club, with Atletico Ottawa bringing in lots of local talent to help bolster its numbers amidst an injury crisis that sees eight players sidelined in addition to Telfer’s absence.
Atletico Ottawa will host Forge FC on September 8. In league play, the club is undefeated in all four of its home matches at TD Place.