Major League Soccer, commonly known as MLS, is a top-level men’s soccer league in the US sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation. Being the top-flight American soccer league, it has seen its fair share of controversies.
A few weeks before the start of the 2024 season, a dispute between the governing body of the MLS and the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) started, where they clashed over a disagreement in the conditions of a new union contract agreement.
What’s the MLS labor dispute over the lockout of referees?
The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) is the labor union that represents the referees working in MLS matches. The lockout means that referees under the union are barred from officiating matches until the MLS and PRO lift the lockout or an agreement is reached.
The lockout of referees was announced by the MLS and Professional Referees Organization (PRO) when the majority of referees rejected the new contract agreement imposed on them by the MLS and PRO. The union claimed that the referees were being compared to mere camera operators rather than being given the respect that every other referee in the world gets. Peter Manikowski, the president and lead negotiator for PSRA, came up with a statement regarding the whole scenario. It states that,
“The skyrocketing growth of MLS has significantly increased demands on officials mentally and physically, and as such, has increased demands on both our professional and personal time. Our members are asking not only for fair compensation at a time when the league is reporting record growth but also for the ability to take care of themselves on the road and at home to continue officiating at the highest level that this sport demands.” Further Manikowski added, “This is their weak attempt to apply economic pressure, and MLS is sacrificing the quality of the game to do that.”
MLS and PRO have kicked out the referees in MLS, so PSRA members are picketing in New York City. As it stands, MLS will use scab refs to call the opening games of the season.
— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) February 21, 2024
🎥 @thegoalkeeper pic.twitter.com/pql7QXcbt8
The members of the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) have taken to the streets of New York City to protest in support of the referees’ issue. This development has brought about a lot of uncertainty regarding the future of the league, as it is unclear how these issues will be resolved and the potential impact they may have on the sport as a whole
MLS referee replaced for wearing Inter Miami jersey before match
As a consequence of the labor dispute, the MLS had to appoint stand-in referees to start the season. In a league where an icon like Lionel Messi plays, these sorts of clashes and disputes must be avoided. Former English midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker expressed his disappointment in a segment, saying, “The word I will use to describe it is ‘embarrassing’, It’s not a great look from outside of America.”
The league started a few weeks ago without concluding the controversial matter. College referees and lower division referees were seen officiating the matches. A referee who was set to officiate the match between Inter and Miami was replaced after his photos surfaced in the media. To avoid such complications, the fans and players are constantly urging for some solution to the dispute.
Last week, MLS had to replace a replacement referee after photos of him in an Inter Miami jersey surfaced… before he was set to ref an Inter Miami match.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 5, 2024
Players and fans are fuming over the replacement refs to the point that MLS has asked broadcasters not to talk about it.
MLS was just getting started with global recognition. Disputes of such stature do harm the smooth running of a national league. We do hope that the League and the labor union come to a fair conclusion so that the players don’t get affected by it.
Do you think this will ruin Major League Soccer’s reputation? Tell us in the comments.
