Lionel Messi & Inter Miami’s 2024 MLS Start ‘99%’ in Danger as MLS Referees Agree for a Potential Strike

Lionel Messi & Inter Miami were set to kick off the 2024 edition of the MLS in style. Their match against Real Salt Lake on February 22nd was a highly anticipated affair. However, the latest news could put the fan hopes in jeopardy. The PSRA (Professional Soccer Referees Association), the union that represents referees in Canada & North America, has voted for a potential strike, with the point in discussion being the CBA. Could this impact the start of the season?

With the vote, PSRA is now at loggerheads with its employer, the PRO (Professional Referees Organization). Unless the two organizations put aside their differences, there is a real chance that we may witness replacement referees, which didn’t work out well, the last time around. What is the CBA and all this jargon? Let’s dive deeper.

Lionel Messi’s and Co.’s fiery MLS return potentially impacted

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the PSRA & PRO expired on January 15, per the Athletic. The two parties even agreed to an extension until January 31, allowing the referees to attend fitness testing & preseason training. However, a further extension would need significant compromises from one party. PSRA reportedly wants a 90% pay scale increase while the PRO is only offering single-digit increments. However, the PSRA doesn’t find this a realistic offer. Recently, there were reports that the two parties were coming close to bridging the gap in evaluation.

However, the negotiations seem to be impacted by the NLRB filing, an unfair labor practice charge aimed at the PRO. The reason is that the PRO bypassed union leadership to directly deal with PSRA, a practice called ‘direct dealing‘.

It looks like PRO is being forced into the decision considering that their client, the MLS, is not willing to pay more for officiating services. A strange decision, considering the record revenue & profits generated by the league, especially after the arrival of Lionel Messi in 2023. As of now, it seems the Inter Miami match will go ahead with replacement referees, a move that backfired in 2014!

Will the replacement referees work better this time around?

In 2014, the MLS started the season with replacement referees. However, they lacked familiarity & experience with the teams and the players and this significantly impacted the quality of the matches. In fact, the error rate on key decisions like red cards, penalties, etc. witnessed a significant jump for the 3 weeks that the system was in use.

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It is also worth noting that the MLS had planned to implement a new rule regarding time-wasting during substitutions & injuries. The rule was set to be used from 2024 but having replacement referees could complicate it further. Back in 2014, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service had to get involved to settle the dispute. This time around too, it seems an external party will have to intervene to put matters straight.

What is your take on the PSRA’s stance? Tell us in the comments below.

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