Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Move on over, replacement referees. MLS’s main officials are coming back.
MLS and the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) have reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), according to several reports.
The passing of the new CBA came on Wednesday night and ends an ugly, two-week lockout at the start of the 2014 MLS the season. It is believed that the agreement for the CBA passed by a 72-3 margin.
Terms of the deal have not been made public, but it is believed that the new CBA will be in place for five years.
Main negotiating topics included match payments, travel standards, fitness and fitness testing, injury insurance, and performance evaluations.
The regular officials are expected to return to work this weekend when the third round of 2014 MLS matches take place.
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What do you think of MLS’s officials returning to work after a new CBA was agreed upon? Expecting the quality of officiating to immediately improve with their return? Hoping some of the replacement referees are used again in the coming weeks and months?
Share your thoughts below.