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| Red cards, dodgy penalties, goals chalked off … are MLS referees up to the job? | Red cards, dodgy penalties, goals chalked off … are MLS referees up to the job? |
| (1 day later) | |
| Baseball had a saying for former Boston outfielder Manny Ramirez’s many oddities and indiscretions: “Oh, it’s just Manny being Manny.” The same could also be true of soccer fans referencing the latter stages of the recent Gold Cup: “Oh, it’s just Concacaf being Concacaf.” | |
| Except that the man in the middle of the latest Concacaf shenanigans, the unfortunate Mark Geiger, is not one of the usual suspects in the kind of by-play that the confederation has been associated with in recent years. | Except that the man in the middle of the latest Concacaf shenanigans, the unfortunate Mark Geiger, is not one of the usual suspects in the kind of by-play that the confederation has been associated with in recent years. |
| As a member of the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), Geiger is supposed to be part of the solution to some of the vagaries of soccer in the region, and it was a major officiating own goal for both him and PRO that he was caught up in the middle of the Mexico v Panama Gold Cup semi-final furore that brought no credit to anyone involved. | As a member of the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), Geiger is supposed to be part of the solution to some of the vagaries of soccer in the region, and it was a major officiating own goal for both him and PRO that he was caught up in the middle of the Mexico v Panama Gold Cup semi-final furore that brought no credit to anyone involved. |
| Related: Panama 1-2 Mexico | Gold Cup semi-final match report | Related: Panama 1-2 Mexico | Gold Cup semi-final match report |
| The previous Mexico game – their quarter-final with Costa Rica – also turned on a decision by a PRO member, in this case assistant referee Eric Boria, who flagged for an equally late and dubious penalty that helped El Tri to progress. | The previous Mexico game – their quarter-final with Costa Rica – also turned on a decision by a PRO member, in this case assistant referee Eric Boria, who flagged for an equally late and dubious penalty that helped El Tri to progress. |
| At the same time, a less publicised decision saw Cyle Larin’s red card from the previous weekend rescinded. The Orlando striker had been dismissed by another PRO member, Fotis Bazakos, during the game with New York Red Bulls, a decision that incensed City head coach Adrian Heath. | At the same time, a less publicised decision saw Cyle Larin’s red card from the previous weekend rescinded. The Orlando striker had been dismissed by another PRO member, Fotis Bazakos, during the game with New York Red Bulls, a decision that incensed City head coach Adrian Heath. |
| In overturning the red issued by Bazakos, the appeals committee put PRO in the crosshairs of a debate that possibly signifies the true coming-of-age of MLS: are the referees up to the job? | In overturning the red issued by Bazakos, the appeals committee put PRO in the crosshairs of a debate that possibly signifies the true coming-of-age of MLS: are the referees up to the job? |
| The statistics are eyebrow-raising. Since PRO was founded under the guidance of top British referee Peter Walton in 2012, the number of red cards has increased from 60 that year to 84 the following season and 87 in 2014. This year, there have been 66 reds issued in 231 games, which would add up to a record 93 over the full season. | The statistics are eyebrow-raising. Since PRO was founded under the guidance of top British referee Peter Walton in 2012, the number of red cards has increased from 60 that year to 84 the following season and 87 in 2014. This year, there have been 66 reds issued in 231 games, which would add up to a record 93 over the full season. |
| Simple numbers are not necessarily an indicator of the officials being out of step with the game, of course. Challenges that seriously endanger the safety of players have been top of Walton’s mandate since he arrived, and the growing rate of dismissals could simply show that players are not taking the endangerment message seriously enough. | Simple numbers are not necessarily an indicator of the officials being out of step with the game, of course. Challenges that seriously endanger the safety of players have been top of Walton’s mandate since he arrived, and the growing rate of dismissals could simply show that players are not taking the endangerment message seriously enough. |
| A red card rate of one every 3.4 games is worrying, though, especially set against the Premier League’s rate of one dismissal every 6.3 games. The spectacle of a team playing short-handed is also not one that American sports fans are used to seeing, except, perhaps, in hockey, and it has led to howls of protest from spectators and coaches alike. | A red card rate of one every 3.4 games is worrying, though, especially set against the Premier League’s rate of one dismissal every 6.3 games. The spectacle of a team playing short-handed is also not one that American sports fans are used to seeing, except, perhaps, in hockey, and it has led to howls of protest from spectators and coaches alike. |
| Indeed, the recent decisions of Geiger, Boria and Bazakos are only the latest in a series of contentious issues that have ill-served MLS as it seeks to increase its popularity and sphere of influence. | Indeed, the recent decisions of Geiger, Boria and Bazakos are only the latest in a series of contentious issues that have ill-served MLS as it seeks to increase its popularity and sphere of influence. |
| Back in April, Houston head coach Owen Coyle fumed at the red card shown to defender Jermaine Taylor for handball that cost his team a 77th-minute penalty and Taylor’s dismissal in a 4-4 draw with Sporting Kansas City. “I’m not interested in the referee. I’m telling you now it hit Jermaine Taylor in the chest,” Coyle said. “There’s no debate about this.” The appeals committee rescinded the red card after reviewing video of the incident. | Back in April, Houston head coach Owen Coyle fumed at the red card shown to defender Jermaine Taylor for handball that cost his team a 77th-minute penalty and Taylor’s dismissal in a 4-4 draw with Sporting Kansas City. “I’m not interested in the referee. I’m telling you now it hit Jermaine Taylor in the chest,” Coyle said. “There’s no debate about this.” The appeals committee rescinded the red card after reviewing video of the incident. |
| In June, San Jose’s Avaya Stadium saw three red cards, two of which were fairly clear, but the third, for the Earthquakes’ Mark Sherrod, had home coach Dominic Kinnear insisting: “That’s just not a red card. The contact was incidental and accidental.” San Jose also appealed the decision but the card was upheld, possibly against the video evidence. | In June, San Jose’s Avaya Stadium saw three red cards, two of which were fairly clear, but the third, for the Earthquakes’ Mark Sherrod, had home coach Dominic Kinnear insisting: “That’s just not a red card. The contact was incidental and accidental.” San Jose also appealed the decision but the card was upheld, possibly against the video evidence. |
| The following week, Seattle’s Sigi Schmid – normally among the more thoughtful MLS coaches – was almost beside himself at a US Open Cup game that saw three Sounders sent off among a host of controversial decisions. “I didn’t want to get thrown out, so I just walked away from the bench because I was maybe going to choke a referee,” he said after the game. “I figured I’d walk away before I did something stupid.” | The following week, Seattle’s Sigi Schmid – normally among the more thoughtful MLS coaches – was almost beside himself at a US Open Cup game that saw three Sounders sent off among a host of controversial decisions. “I didn’t want to get thrown out, so I just walked away from the bench because I was maybe going to choke a referee,” he said after the game. “I figured I’d walk away before I did something stupid.” |
| Schmid later apologized for his remarks, but the sentiment was plain to see. | Schmid later apologized for his remarks, but the sentiment was plain to see. |
| On July 19, Chicago’s Frank Yallop criticised referee Chris Penso for a “phantom red card” in a 3-1 defeat at Columbus that featured a first-minute penalty for the Crew, two disallowed Fire goals and Jason Johnson sent off on the back of two yellow cards. | On July 19, Chicago’s Frank Yallop criticised referee Chris Penso for a “phantom red card” in a 3-1 defeat at Columbus that featured a first-minute penalty for the Crew, two disallowed Fire goals and Jason Johnson sent off on the back of two yellow cards. |
| Then it was Larin’s turn in the red card parade, the third of three straight games with Orlando finishing a game with only 10 men. It had Heath lamenting: “I don’t really know what to say about the officials any more. If I say something, I get fined, but if I say nothing, nothing changes. | Then it was Larin’s turn in the red card parade, the third of three straight games with Orlando finishing a game with only 10 men. It had Heath lamenting: “I don’t really know what to say about the officials any more. If I say something, I get fined, but if I say nothing, nothing changes. |
| “I think the referee has made so many wrong decisions, against both sides, that it’s hard to understand.” | “I think the referee has made so many wrong decisions, against both sides, that it’s hard to understand.” |
| Back on June 30, Philadelphia’s Jim Curtin seemed to sum up the thoughts of many coaches after striker CJ Sapong was dismissed for what looked like a simple aerial contest with DC United’s Kofi Apare in a US Open Cup clash. “It’s a mistake by the referee, for sure,” Curtin insisted. “I think they all know it. It wasn’t a contentious game, it wasn’t heated. In soccer now, it’s becoming too easy to be kicked out of a game. That’s the simplest way I can put it.” | Back on June 30, Philadelphia’s Jim Curtin seemed to sum up the thoughts of many coaches after striker CJ Sapong was dismissed for what looked like a simple aerial contest with DC United’s Kofi Apare in a US Open Cup clash. “It’s a mistake by the referee, for sure,” Curtin insisted. “I think they all know it. It wasn’t a contentious game, it wasn’t heated. In soccer now, it’s becoming too easy to be kicked out of a game. That’s the simplest way I can put it.” |
| Curtin’s views are echoed by highly accomplished former MLS goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who spent 17 years in the league before retiring to become a TV pundit. He is convinced this year’s refereeing outcry is simply part of the growing process of the league. | Curtin’s views are echoed by highly accomplished former MLS goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who spent 17 years in the league before retiring to become a TV pundit. He is convinced this year’s refereeing outcry is simply part of the growing process of the league. |
| He explained: “One of the things I have always noticed with the European leagues is how well educated the fan is and, as our fans get more educated, we are going to have certain deficiencies and we are going to have to play catch-up with leagues that have been around for 100 years. As expectations continue to go up from MLS fans and the league, the refereeing side of things has to keep up. | He explained: “One of the things I have always noticed with the European leagues is how well educated the fan is and, as our fans get more educated, we are going to have certain deficiencies and we are going to have to play catch-up with leagues that have been around for 100 years. As expectations continue to go up from MLS fans and the league, the refereeing side of things has to keep up. |
| “Five years ago, we didn’t have full-time referees. Imagine the amount of pressure and the speed with which you need to make decisions! Very often, the players don’t help. I was very disappointed in the players’ reactions in the Mark Geiger game. You can’t behave like that. | “Five years ago, we didn’t have full-time referees. Imagine the amount of pressure and the speed with which you need to make decisions! Very often, the players don’t help. I was very disappointed in the players’ reactions in the Mark Geiger game. You can’t behave like that. |
| “I grew up watching Manchester United on TV and have seen the interaction between referees and players and it never seems ‘little league’ to me. When you watch games here, there isn’t the same type of relationship with officials and the same level of respect. Maybe it is partly the players’ fault, but it is definitely a relationship that needs to grow. It’s good to be having this conversation. It’s probably long overdue.” | “I grew up watching Manchester United on TV and have seen the interaction between referees and players and it never seems ‘little league’ to me. When you watch games here, there isn’t the same type of relationship with officials and the same level of respect. Maybe it is partly the players’ fault, but it is definitely a relationship that needs to grow. It’s good to be having this conversation. It’s probably long overdue.” |
| The refereeing ‘relationship’ is something many coaches have commented on. In summing up coaching concerns, there are three recurring issues that all relate to the player-officials relationship – consistency, accountability and approachability. | The refereeing ‘relationship’ is something many coaches have commented on. In summing up coaching concerns, there are three recurring issues that all relate to the player-officials relationship – consistency, accountability and approachability. |
| As one coach said: “What’s acceptable one week doesn’t seem to be the next. You can’t even ask them a question at half-time because it’s perceived as harassment. There really needs to be more dialogue between players, coaches and referees.” | As one coach said: “What’s acceptable one week doesn’t seem to be the next. You can’t even ask them a question at half-time because it’s perceived as harassment. There really needs to be more dialogue between players, coaches and referees.” |
| Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol, who spent 10 years as head coach of New England before becoming a pundit with ESPN, is sure there is a gulf that needs to be bridged. “I think the situation is pretty straightforward,” he insisted. “The referees here are young and inexperienced, and the Gold Cup has got people looking into it. | Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol, who spent 10 years as head coach of New England before becoming a pundit with ESPN, is sure there is a gulf that needs to be bridged. “I think the situation is pretty straightforward,” he insisted. “The referees here are young and inexperienced, and the Gold Cup has got people looking into it. |
| “I think it is more a question of officials just going by the book rather than applying the rules to the situation. They are not allowed to referee as they see it but to keep someone happy in the stand. Referees in Europe probably also have a better understanding of the game, but the simple fact is there are a lot of mistakes being made here.” | “I think it is more a question of officials just going by the book rather than applying the rules to the situation. They are not allowed to referee as they see it but to keep someone happy in the stand. Referees in Europe probably also have a better understanding of the game, but the simple fact is there are a lot of mistakes being made here.” |
| PRO chief Walton insists the officiating is keeping up with the league’s growth. He is also keen to create more dialogue, and points out his organisation already holds training camps every two weeks to which all coaches are welcome. | PRO chief Walton insists the officiating is keeping up with the league’s growth. He is also keen to create more dialogue, and points out his organisation already holds training camps every two weeks to which all coaches are welcome. |
| “I would definitely like to see coaches interacting more with our referees off the field,” Walton said. “There is an open invitation for any coaching staffs to attend our training camps to improve standards and a number of coaches have taken that opportunity. It could be more, though. | “I would definitely like to see coaches interacting more with our referees off the field,” Walton said. “There is an open invitation for any coaching staffs to attend our training camps to improve standards and a number of coaches have taken that opportunity. It could be more, though. |
| “Every coach also has the opportunity to fill in a post-match review of each official’s performance. The majority do that but some don’t. This is all part of striving towards a better consultation process.” | “Every coach also has the opportunity to fill in a post-match review of each official’s performance. The majority do that but some don’t. This is all part of striving towards a better consultation process.” |
| Walton is not unduly concerned with the increase in red cards and is fully supportive of individual referees like Baldomero Toledo and Sorin Stoica, who have a much higher red card rate than most of their PRO colleagues. | Walton is not unduly concerned with the increase in red cards and is fully supportive of individual referees like Baldomero Toledo and Sorin Stoica, who have a much higher red card rate than most of their PRO colleagues. |
| “I don’t think there is a great issue with the number of cards being issued,” Walton insisted. “I think it is only a few clubs who are suffering. Before we start looking at the refereeing, we might look at what the cards are being issued for. I think some players are still approaching the game as it was 10 years ago and they need to wise up about certain types of tackles. | “I don’t think there is a great issue with the number of cards being issued,” Walton insisted. “I think it is only a few clubs who are suffering. Before we start looking at the refereeing, we might look at what the cards are being issued for. I think some players are still approaching the game as it was 10 years ago and they need to wise up about certain types of tackles. |
| “One of my key educating points is that we’re strong on challenges from players that endanger the safety of opponents. I have introduced stiffer tests for the referees so they punish offences of this nature in accordance with the laws of the game.” | “One of my key educating points is that we’re strong on challenges from players that endanger the safety of opponents. I have introduced stiffer tests for the referees so they punish offences of this nature in accordance with the laws of the game.” |
| Walton says the development of PRO is goes hand-in-hand with the development of MLS itself. There may be occasional growing pains – Geiger’s recent Gold Cup experience, for example – but his European perspective stands him in good stead. | Walton says the development of PRO is goes hand-in-hand with the development of MLS itself. There may be occasional growing pains – Geiger’s recent Gold Cup experience, for example – but his European perspective stands him in good stead. |
| He concluded: “When I came here in 2012, there wasn’t any establishment looking after referees. So there was nothing here to build on. I put into place a full referee organisation and I have a 10-year mission we are a third of the way through. | He concluded: “When I came here in 2012, there wasn’t any establishment looking after referees. So there was nothing here to build on. I put into place a full referee organisation and I have a 10-year mission we are a third of the way through. |
| “I’m not naïve enough to think we’ve got the finished article. We need to get better, that’s for sure. Rome certainly wasn’t built in a day, and this league has a plan to be the league of choice by 2022. But I think we are well on the way to that.” | “I’m not naïve enough to think we’ve got the finished article. We need to get better, that’s for sure. Rome certainly wasn’t built in a day, and this league has a plan to be the league of choice by 2022. But I think we are well on the way to that.” |
| The other part of the equation could come purely as a result of another MLS initiative – instant replay. Commissioner Don Garber recently indicated the league was already testing ways to introduce instant video review in a limited way, which would finally bring the sport in line with tennis, baseball, cricket, American football and all the others that have already decided technology is an essential part of officiating in the 21st century. | The other part of the equation could come purely as a result of another MLS initiative – instant replay. Commissioner Don Garber recently indicated the league was already testing ways to introduce instant video review in a limited way, which would finally bring the sport in line with tennis, baseball, cricket, American football and all the others that have already decided technology is an essential part of officiating in the 21st century. |
| Garber explained: “We spoke to the board about how instant replay might work. We think it can work; we’d love to see it work. We’ve got to talk to US Soccer, we’ve got to talk to FIFA, we’ve got to make sure the technology works, but you should know that MLS is a supporter of the idea.” | Garber explained: “We spoke to the board about how instant replay might work. We think it can work; we’d love to see it work. We’ve got to talk to US Soccer, we’ve got to talk to FIFA, we’ve got to make sure the technology works, but you should know that MLS is a supporter of the idea.” |
| Ah yes, Fifa. Good luck with that, Don. And back to you, Peter. | Ah yes, Fifa. Good luck with that, Don. And back to you, Peter. |
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