Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey gets two-year US Open Cup ban

Clint Dempsey has been banned from participating in the US Open Cup for two years following an incident in which he tore up a referee's notebook.

The Seattle Sounders striker has been suspended for six US Open Cup matches or the next two years of the competition, whichever is greater.

"Due to the suspension, Dempsey cannot play in any US Open Cup matches in 2016 or 2017, and possibly longer depending on the number of tournament games in which Dempsey's team participates in those years," said the United States Soccer Federation in a statement.

Dempsey, who was also fined an undisclosed amount, has already been banned for three matches by Major League Soccer over the incident.

As Seattle enter the cup in the later rounds, Dempsey's suspension could span more than two seasons.