Lockout: Responding to the Replacements

March 7, 2014, A sobering day for many US soccer officials, both professional and amateur. The dreaded lockout, which has been casting a shadow over the refereeing world of late, has finally shown its hideous face. In less than 24 hours the MLS season will open, but MLS referees will not be on the pitch.

PSRA and PRO were $440,000 apart on a total compensation package that would have averted a work stoppage, one source said. A separate source with knowledge of the negotiations said the divide is more than $1 million. PRO will use replacement officials for the eight MLS matches played this weekend and until an agreement is reached with the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA).

This weekend is a pivotal moment for professional refereeing in this country. One major issue during any of the 8 matches has the potential to substantially boost PSRA’s bargaining power. On the flip side, if matches are uneventful, it could unravel the essentiality of PSRA referees. In either case, PSRA or PRO will capture a larger share of bargaining power than they currently have.
One aspect that has been overlooked, is the incentives of players to behave or misbehave this weekend. For while referees and players seem to be adversaries on the pitch, when it comes to contract negotiations they are both on the same side of the table: labor unions. MLS will soon enter into talks with the players’ union regarding a new collective bargaining agreement.

If PSRA lose in their negotiations, it could weaken the players’ union bargaining power. Indeed, the players’ union has already issued a statement in support of the PSRA. The statement, while focused on concerns for players’ safety, may have been a strategic anticipation of the parallel causes between PSRA and themselves.

Meanwhile, PRO has expressed confidence in their designated replacement officials. “We have high confidence in the qualifications of our replacement officials and can ensure our fans, clubs and players that all games will be officiated at a professional standard that protects the integrity of our matches and the safety of our players,” Walton said.

However, will replacement officials be able to respond to players resolved to tilt the bargaining in PSRA’s favor? Even disregarding their economic incentives to jeopardize replacement officials, it is likely that players will test the replacements. Players tend to respond negatively to inconsistency and replacement officials inherently bring a style that is distinct from the “regular” MLS referees. This added pressure will be compounded by the stress of last-minute appointments and opening day nerves.

Replacement officials have an unenviable task before them as their performance will be closely monitored by fans, players, coaches, MLS referees, and MLS. By the time the last whistle blows this weekend the landscape of professional refereeing will have been altered one way or another. There is only one thing certain amidst all this speculation, this opening weekend will be one of the most captivating openers for referees since the league’s inception.