Major League Soccer reportedly sent a memo to television and radio broadcasters over the weekend telling them not to “belabor the point” as it relates to replacement referees being used.
As a lockout continues involving the Professional Soccer Referees Association, the certified labor union representing officials working MLS matches and the MLS along with its referee employment organization, the Professional Referee Organization, the league wants to avoid it becoming a major topic of game broadcasts.
The Athletic received a copy of the memo, which read in part, “Fans tune in to watch and listen to the game. They aren’t focused on the officials; therefore, we don’t believe it is necessary to belabor the point during the match. It is best to mention the situation in the pregame and move on.”
The report says the announcers were also told they could “agree or disagree” with a controversial call, but not imply that the replacement referees were “the reason for the controversial call.”
