MLS refs claim in-game interference means they are ‘no longer in control’

It’s a pause that soccer fans have become painfully familiar with. PRO senior director of match officials Mark Geiger himself refereed at two men’s World Cups that the protocols in place are not being upheld as they have been previously enforced,” said Referee B. PRO conducted an internal review when this was brought to our attention and improvements were immediately made to PRO’s processes as a result.” “The integrity of our competition is essential and as a client of the Professional Referee Organization, we demand the same of match officiating,” an MLS spokesperson said, in an email. “When you have inputs from places unknown, this delay, I believe, creates doubt and draws the referee’s expertise into question, because they are no longer in control, and it should be the referee that’s in control because they are the final adjudicator.” Though some of the incidents that The Athletic learned about may be motivated by making an accurate decision or keeping games moving, MLS referees interviewed say that the interference has created resentment and confusion for referees, who now don’t know whether to expect interference or what form it might take. In 2017, Bundesliga referee supervisor Hellmut Krug was demoted by the DFB, Germany’s national soccer federation, after accusations he had unduly influenced two VAR reviews on penalties.