In a surprising turn of events, the referee originally assigned to officiate the MLS game between Inter Miami CF and Orlando City SC was replaced by the Professional Referee Organization (PRO). This decision came after pictures surfaced on social media showing the original referee, Guilherme Ceretta, wearing an Inter Miami jersey. The replacement referee, Jaime Herrera, was announced in PRO’s weekly list of MLS referee assignments. The fourth official, Ivan Cid Cruz, also had to be replaced by Bruno Rizo and Regis Cardoso remained as the assistant referees for the match. The pictures revealing Ceretta’s questionable choice of attire were initially shared by the X account @MLSRefStats.
A spokesperson for PRO, the organization responsible for assigning referees in MLS matches, stated to ESPN that “Referee Guilherme Ceretta was removed from the game due to a potential conflict.” This incident comes at a rather delicate time for PRO, as they are currently embroiled in a lockout of referees affiliated with the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA). The PSRA is seeking to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with PRO, but progress seems to have hit a roadblock. As a result of the lockout, PRO has been utilizing replacement referees from other professional leagues, as well as from the collegiate and youth levels.
The ongoing dispute between PRO and PSRA regarding a new CBA seems to be at a standstill. The previous agreement expired on Jan. 15, with both parties agreeing to extend the terms temporarily to facilitate further discussions. Despite this extension, the PSRA membership rejected a tentative agreement on Feb. 15, with 95.8% of union members voting against ratification. In response, PRO opted to lock out the PSRA referees. Subsequently, the PSRA presented a counterproposal, which was met with rejection from PRO. The organization went as far as stating that the terms of the tentative agreement constituted their best offer.
The current impasse between PRO and PSRA raises concerns about the impact on the sporting integrity of MLS matches. The president of PSRA, Peter Manikowski, emphasized the importance of utilizing well-trained and experienced officials to uphold the integrity of the game. He expressed apprehension that focusing on labor disputes rather than prioritizing top-quality officiating could compromise the overall quality of the sport. The absence of rigorous fitness testing, medical assessments, background checks, and anti-doping protocols could potentially undermine the credibility of MLS games.
The replacement of the referee in the MLS match due to a conflict of interest highlights the challenges faced by PRO and PSRA in reaching a new collective bargaining agreement. The need to prioritize sporting integrity and professional standards must be at the forefront of negotiations to ensure the continued success and credibility of MLS matches.