Major League Soccer will lock out referees after its union rejected a tentative contract, placing Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on monitor to open the season subsequent week with substitute officers.
The Professional Soccer Referees Association stated Saturday that 95.8% voted in opposition to a tentative settlement with the Professional Referee Organization, which provides match officers to MLS, the NWSL and a few lower-tier leagues. The union stated 97.8% of roughly 260 eligible members voted.
A five-year settlement had been set to run out on Jan. 15, and a pair of temporary extensions ended Monday.
The league stated PRO will lock out the union on Sunday.
The PSRA stated in a press release the tentative settlement lacked a ample financial bundle and quality-of-life enhancements.
“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,” union president Peter Manikowski stated in a press release.
The league stated PRO’s proposal for wages, advantages and journey was a 25% enchancment from final yr.
Messi and Miami play the MLS opener at residence in opposition to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.
MLS used substitute officers for the primary two weeks of its 2014 season earlier than reaching a contract.
League government vp Nelson Rodriguez stated the union rejected a no strike-no lockout proposal. He stated in a press release PRO would use “experienced professional match referees supported by veteran VAR officials,” a reference to the video assistant referees.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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