Galaxy’s Nigel de Jong gets three-game suspension for tackle of Timbers’ player

Galaxy midfielder Nigel de Jong was suspended for three games by Major League Soccer’s disciplinary committee Friday for a dangerous tackle in last Sunday’s draw with Portland at the StubHub Center.

Referee Allen Chapman issued only a yellow card for the 74th-minute challenge against the Timbers’ Darlington Nagbe, but after reviewing videotape of the incident, the disciplinary committee ruled unanimously that the action “was a clear and unequivocal red card and the play was of an egregious and reckless nature.”

The penalty was apparently decided upon earlier this week, but de Jong and the players’ union were given two days to appeal the decision, an opportunity both declined.

Nagbe had to be taken off the field on a stretcher and was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair, but X-rays and an MRI later showed he sustained only a sprained ankle.

De Jong did not travel with the Galaxy to Houston for Friday night’s game with the Dynamo. He also will missed a home match with Real Salt Lake on April 23 and a May 1 game in Kansas City.

The Galaxy (2-1-2) have had 10 players miss time this season with injury, and with de Jong’s suspension and the hip contusion that sent Robbie Rogers to the sidelines, Sebastian Lletget and Daniel Steres are the only active players who have started all five games for the team this season.