York United Set To Appeal Toussaint Red Card, Again

York United’s Cedric Toussaint has picked up a red card against Atletico Ottawa in added time for the second time this season.

The 21-year-old midfielder was handed his marching orders from referee Mathieu Souare in the 92nd minute after going in for a sliding challenge on Carl Haworth and getting a straight red card afterwards.

The Nine Stripes are now appealing Souare’s red card decision, which would see Toussaint sidelined for the club’s home match against Pacific FC this Saturday.

York United head coach Martin Nash was also handed a yellow card during the aftermath of Toussaint’s red card, though that seems to be a simple case of mistaken identity given that Barry Smith was leading the protests. York United has confirmed that they’re appealing his yellow decision, too.

The club’s previous red card appeal for Toussaint was partially successful, which similarly cleared him to play against Pacific FC later on – deja vu.

Toussaint has made 36 appearances for the Nine Stripes since arriving from the CF Montreal Academy system last season. He was on a stretch of five straight league matches without missing a minute following the game that he missed for his prior red card.

Souare has refereed five Canadian Premier League matches this year, handing out 27 yellow cards throughout them. Back in 2020 he oversaw Atletico Ottawa’s first ever match, where he handed Vashon Neufville his marching orders against York United. While Atletico Ottawa had appealed that decision, it does not look like the club has appealed what was just Beckie’s second career red.

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Nine Stripes defender Jordan Wilson went to bat for both players after the match, stating that neither Drew Beckie nor Cedric Toussaint deserved reds, with cards ‘being given out like candy’.

This year has seen criticism of Canadian officiating take a spotlight, though it’s worth stating that the CPL exists to help grow the quality of Canada’s officials in addition to its players and coaches, too.

With York United set to bid Abzi bon voyage in his final home game on Sunday, it remains to be seen if the club’s appeal for Toussaint will be successful.