[ad_1]
The Professional Referees Organization (PRO) has a plan ready to go for exactly who will be MLS’ Substitute referees with the Professional Football Referees Association (PSRA) closed, sources briefed on the plan say. Athletics.
According to those sources, PRO has commitments from a total of 66 officials. Of these, 26 can be appointed as central referee or fourth referee and 29 can be assistant referee.
Additionally, PRO General Manager Mark Geiger will be available as an assistant video referee. Judge Geiger MLS from 2004-19 and was on the list FIFA referee from 2008-19, becoming the first American to officiate a World Cup knockout game, which he did in 2014. He then also refereed the 2018 World Cup before retiring the following year.
The center referees include 11 options with experience in the three main divisions of Brazil, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico and Poland. Ten are former or current national football referees and several have been recommended and work in Division 1 college football.
“You will have substitute judges of individuals who have not been trained to the highest professional level.”
The rules expert @ChristinaUnkel explains how referee substitution can negatively affect MLS games. pic.twitter.com/gDMHU6GSR4
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 17, 2024
Four of the assistant judges have professional experience in other countries, including Brazil, Cuba, Peru and El Salvador.
PRO management who have been certified by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in the past or have played games in FIFA competitions as video assistant referees will be used in this capacity.
Matches hosted by any of the three Canadian-based MLS clubs will be served by Canada Soccer.
The last deadlock in 2014 between the PRO and PRSA saw seven officials who started as substitute referees go on to have careers in the PRO.
That 2014 season culminated in the MLS Cup, where current GM PRO Geiger was the center referee. One of the assistant referees? Peter Manikowski, president and chief negotiator for PSRA.
Required reading ahead of the 2024 MLS season
(Photo: Howard Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
[ad_2]
Source link
 has a plan in place ready to be executed for exactly who will be MLS’ replacement referees with the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) locked out, sources briefed on the plan tell The Athletic. PRO has commitments from a total of 66 officials, according to those sources. Of those, 26 can be assigned as a center referee or fourth official and 29 can be an assistant referee. Additionally, PRO general manager Mark Geiger will be available as a video assistant referee. Geiger refereed in MLS from 2004-19 and was a listed FIFA referee from...){kind=link}