York United To Appeal Toussaint Red Card

York United will be appealing the red card handed to Cedric Toussaint in the final minutes of yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Atletico Ottawa.

The 21-year-old came on as a second half substitute for Jordan Wilson and found himself contesting for the ball against Chris Mannella in the 86th minute. After the two became entangled, Cedric had put his foot down on Mannella – an act that was labelled as violent conduct, with referee Filip Dujic handing him a straight red card afterwards.

A spokesperson for the club stated that York United felt very strongly there was no violent conduct as per reason in the match report, and that it was very clear there was zero intent. The club has successfully appealed red card decisions in the past, though it remains to be seen what happens in the case of Cedric Toussaint.

If a violent conduct suspension stands, the midfielder will miss the next three league matches against Forge, Valour, and Pacific FC, though he would be eligible to play in the club’s Canadian Championship match against – you guessed it – Atletico Ottawa.

“The fact that the referee is right there and the referee has to look at Mannella’s leg to see a foot mark…” commented Iain Hume on the broadcast, “unfortunately, this is the problem we have. Referees go on the reactions and outcomes of tackles, rather than the actual tackle.”

This isn’t the first three-match ban handed down for an incident of stomping. The opening weekend of CPL action saw Atletico Ottawa’s Drew Beckie receive a three-match ban for such, although his looked more retaliatory in nature and was not contested. Last night’s match away to York United was the final match of Beckie’s suspension.

This also marks the second time York United saw a second half substitute receive his marching orders at the tail end of the match, with Matteo Hernandez earning a straight red for intentional handball against the Wanderers – and a further three match ban for an undisclosed off-pitch altercation with the fourth official en route to the locker room.

Toussaint arrived to the Nine Stripes from the CF Montreal Academy system ahead of the 2021 CPL season. He’s made 29 appearances for the club since, with yesterday’s red card being the first of his career.

York United is set for its first 905 Derby of the season next week, hosting Forge FC in a now-staple Friday Night under the lights matchup. The hammers will have had a lot of extra rest after this weekend’s trip to Valour was postponed.