Allan Saint-Maximin was sent off for a lewd gesture in Charlotte FC's 3-0 win over Orlando City. The former Newcastle United cult hero was shown a red card in the dying moments of the match following a VAR review for grabbing his crotch in the direction of an opponent.

Referee Victor Rivas consulted the pitch-side monitor before issuing the dismissal for what is understood to be a breach of IFAB regulations on 'using insulting or abusive language or actions'. The incident occurred after Saint-Maximin had scored Charlotte's second goal, but the red card did not affect the result as the hosts were already leading comfortably. Teenager Rodolfo Aloko added a third goal in stoppage time to seal the victory.

Impact and context

The match was Charlotte's penultimate fixture of the MLS regular season, with the club already secure in fourth place and qualified for the playoffs. Saint-Maximin, who joined from Lens in July, has contributed two goals and four assists in 14 appearances. His manager, Dean Smith, has been full of praise for the 29-year-old's impact.

"He's dynamic, he's a ball carrier, he'll take opportunities when they arise to him, and he should give us a good boost," Smith said recently, adding that the forward wants to leave a legacy and lift standards within the team. The red card incident now threatens his availability for the final regular season game, a trip to face the Columbus Crew, and potentially the start of the postseason. The specific suspension for his gesture remains unconfirmed.

Newcastle's current focus

While Saint-Maximin's antics make headlines abroad, Newcastle United's immediate focus is on their Premier League campaign. The Magpies sit 12th in the league table with 11 points from eight games ahead of a quick rematch with Everton at St James' Park this weekend. Eddie Howe's side were beaten 3-1 at Goodison Park last time out, a result that extended their recent form to two wins and three losses from their last five outings. The upcoming home fixture against the 14th-placed Toffees offers a chance for immediate redemption in front of their own supporters.

Saint-Maximin's career has taken him from Newcastle to Al-Ahli, loan spells at Fenerbahce and Club America, and a stint in France before his current move to Major League Soccer.

The original report is at Chronicle Live