LA Galaxy's Nigel de Jong suspended 3 games for violent tackle

Nigel de Jong won't be taking the pitch again until May.

Major League Soccer's Disciplinary Committee suspended De Jong for three matches Friday after unanimously deciding the violent tackle he committed on Darlington Nagbe during the LA Galaxy's 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers was "a clear and unequivocal red card." The 31-year-old was also fined.

The tackle, for which De Jong bewilderingly only received a yellow card, was, according to the Committee, "of an egregious and reckless nature such that the Committee must act to protect player safety."

Galaxy manager Bruce Arena announced Thursday that De Jong would not be available for the club's fixture against the Houston Dynamo, but the full extent of the discipline wasn't known at the time. In addition to that match, the Dutch midfielder will miss an April 23 match against Real Salt Lake and its trip to Sporting Kansas City on May 1.

De Jong's tackle resulted in Nagbe being stretchered off the pitch and wheeled into the locker room at the StubHub Center. It was subsequently confirmed the Liberia-born midfielder suffered an ankle sprain and contusion.