The most recent MLS matchday saw the replacement referee crisis hit a new level with rampant errors across the league’s games. The issues were so bad that the Professional Soccer Referees Association commented on how the officiating is having major consequences on the table and the quality of the competition.
“This past weekend in MLS, many players and coaches stood up and spoke the truth regarding the impact MLS has created by continuing to use replacement refs,” the PSRA said in a statement. “Points were lost, red cards were incorrectly given while other red cards were incorrectly not given, and ‘stonewall’ penalty kick decisions were missed.”
The PSRA noted that it supported the comments from players and coaches who lamented the replacement referees after matchday four. One of the biggest concerns happened in the Montreal game in Chicago. Montreal head coach Laurent Courtois took offense to many decisions that seemed to go against the Canadian side. Courtois pointed to four decisions which he disagreed with.
“Twenty-two added minutes, red card on the (Chicago) GK that isn’t given. Their third goal came from a corner that shouldn’t have been, their first goal was offside,” Courtois said.
The Montreal game was of particular note because of what happened after the visitors picked up a red card. Leading 3-1 in the 82nd minute, replacement referees sent off Raheem Edwards for an altercation away from the ball. Chicago converted the penalty before scoring two goals in second-half stoppage time.
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MLS players and coaches criticize replacement referee errors
Courtois was not alone in ripping officials this weekend. Charlotte FC manager Dean Smith said the referee on duty missed a “stonewall” penalty against Nashville SC. Charlotte went on to lose the game by one point. Elsewhere, LA Galaxy captain Maya Yoshida…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/enough-is-enough-mls-replacement-referee-errors-are-maddening
Author : Kyle Fansler
Publish date : 2024-03-18 18:49:32
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