MLS chief criticizes referees union over lockout

Major League Soccer commissioner criticizes referee union after talks break down, leaving the league to start the new season without top referees.

Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner Don Garber has expressed his frustration with the referee union members after negotiations broke down, resulting in the league beginning the new season without its top referees.

Garber, speaking to reporters ahead of the season opener between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake, emphasized that MLS was "very prepared" to handle the lockout of the officials.

The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) announced that 95.8 percent of their voting members had rejected the tentative deal reached with MLS's Professional Referees Organization (PRO).

Garber expressed his disappointment, stating that in his nearly 40 years of experience in sports, he had never seen a bargaining unit reach an agreement without the support of its members. He also questioned whether there was a disconnect between the members and their elected negotiators.

He emphasized that it was not the way MLS intended to start the season but highlighted the challenges of negotiating with an entity that, in his opinion, had not negotiated fairly with PRO.

The previous five-year labor deal for referees expired in January, and PSRA cited unmet expectations and a lack of quality of life improvements as reasons for rejecting the deal.

Garber expressed uncertainty about the main issues that needed resolution, stating that MLS had agreed to a deal with the elected representation of the referees. He found it unusual not to know the specific concerns of the referees and the extent of the gap between PRO and PSRA.

The PSRA promptly responded to Garber's comments, urging him to consult his own Negotiating Committee to understand the referees' demands and emphasizing that PRO negotiators had ignored their warnings during the negotiations.

Earlier protests by PSRA members outside MLS's offices were met with disappointment by Garber, who hoped the referees would have communicated their concerns instead of protesting. He expressed frustration at the lack of clarity on the next steps and the disagreement that led to the work stoppage.

Despite the challenges, Garber assured that MLS was well-prepared to manage the situation in the best interest of players, teams, and fans, highlighting the commitment to finding a resolution. The uncertainty surrounding the referee lockout and the need to address the underlying issues presented a complex and challenging situation for MLS.