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The independent panel rejected Real Salt Lake's appeal for Kyle Beckerman's red card to be rescinded, the team learned Friday. The fine and suspension that came with the send-off stand.

RSL coach Mike Petke first told ESPN700 of the decision Friday afternoon.

"While we as a club remain confused and disappointed by both the call on the field and the appeal panel's decision," RSL general manager Craig Waibel said in a statement exclusive to the Tribune, "I believe that it is important to share and understand that both Wednesday's official and the panel each described the incident as violent. While I disagree wholeheartedly with their stance, I cannot argue further — every call is opinion-based and open to interpretation."

Referee Baldomero Toledo issued red cards to RSL midfielder Beckerman and Timbers striker Fanendo Adi for an incident in the 55th minute of Wednesday's match at Portland.

That same night Waibel filed an appeal to review Beckerman's red card for violent conduct.

"Based on the interpretation laid forth within the Laws of the Game, we appealed the decision," Waibel said.

Per International Football Association Board rules, a direct free kick is to be given to the other team if a player commits an offense that is "careless, reckless or using excessive force." An offense that falls in the third category is the only one deemed to merit a red card.

The IFAB Laws of the Game defines the three terms as:

• Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed

• Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned

• Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off

Each MLS club posts a $25,000 refundable bond with the league office before the season starts for up to two unsuccessful appeals.

To get the ball rolling, the club has 24 hours to send in a detailed appeal request that argues the case for the appeal and presents evidence to back it up.

Then, for an appeal to review a red card, an independent three-member panel made up of representatives from U.S. Soccer, the Canadian Soccer Association and the Professional Referee Organization is responsible for the decision.

To uphold the appeal, the panel must come to a unanimous decision that the referee both incorrectly identified the offense and the punishment was inappropriate for the offense.

Before the panel announced its decision, Petke said he was confident in the appeal.

"We wouldn't go through this process, which cost the club a great deal of money — and it's nonrefundable if we lose — if we weren't very confident," he said. "Having said that, who the hell knows.

"It's very obvious that the Adi reaction and him getting a red card put the referee front and center, and then he made a decision to give two red cards. What Kyle is accused of doing happens 25 times a game. When a forward checks in with a center back, the center back's forearm is up and he is knocking that guy off balance. If that's a red card then every game is going to end six versus six."

According to Waibel, the official match report and the panel's decision characterized the incident differently. Neither document is available to the public.

"In my follow-up," Waibel said, "I was informed that while the accounts differ in their description of the foul, the red card is upheld as both entities acknowledge the incident as violent conduct."

The MLS communications department did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Beckerman will not be available for Saturday's game against Sporting Kansas City at Rio Tinto Stadium.

— Maddie Lee