Jermaine Jones unleashes tirade on New England Revolution, MLS
Veteran defender Jermaine Jones has voiced his disgust at what he deems an excessive six-game suspension from Major League Soccer, and also "a joke" of a contract offer from the New England Revolution.
The 34-year-old, who is currently with the U.S. men's national team ahead of friendlies against Iceland and Canada, was handed the ban for his aggressive remonstrating with referee Mark Geiger in a Revs playoff loss to DC United in October.
This, along with New England's apparent derisory offer to retain his services, is making Jones desperate to move elsewhere for his career swansong.
"It's a little bit ridiculous, everything. It's a little bit crazy," Jones said. "So I get a six-game suspension in this league. I told the league that I want to go, I have some opportunities."
FIFA rules stipulate that suspensions carry over to other countries should a transfer occur. This means that a potential return to Germany, where Jones learned his trade and represented Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen, has been hampered by his lack of availability for six games. MLS commissioner Don Garber has already rejected his appeal of the ban.
"All other leagues, it's half a season played," he continued. "If you have a six-game suspension, it's tough to bring (someone) in. I feel like it's unfair that you close a window for a player that did a lot for this country and this sport here.
"I talked to people in Germany that watched the scene between me and Geiger. It's definitely not a six-game suspension. If you see other stuff that happens and how the league handles that, it's not fair. I don't know exactly why that happens, and why they do it. I stayed quiet a long time. But now it's at the point where I say I have to look what's going on in my career, too."
Jones points out international teammate Clint Dempsey's conduct last June, when he received a three-game suspension after tearing up a referee's notebook in frustration during a U.S. Open Cup match between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers.
It's not just the league that faces Jones' ire. The New England Revolution, for whom Jones has represented for a year-and-a-half, is also subject of the defender's disgust.
"I did everything I could do when I came here to the States. I helped New England, with the Kraft family, to put soccer in front," he said. "And now, I'm getting an offer that is a joke. There's still time. I have to make my focus on these two games that come with the national team."
Jones is open about his want to return to Germany, but in the meantime he wants to undergo the best preparation for the Copa America which begins in June. With an enforced six-game absence that isn't going to happen.
The Revs' 2016 MLS campaign kicks off at Houston Dynamo on March 6, but if Jones unexpectedly remains at the Gillette Stadium, his first match would be at away at Orlando City on April 17.