Striking referees from Major League Soccer (MLS) have accused substitute officials of making numerous errors during last weekend's fixtures amid an ongoing labor dispute with league authorities. The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) highlighted a series of mistakes, including incorrect red card decisions and missed penalty calls, further fueling tensions between the union and MLS leadership.

The labor dispute between Major League Soccer (MLS) and its referees reached a new level of acrimony as striking officials leveled criticism against substitute referees for a litany of errors witnessed during last weekend's fixtures. Amid ongoing negotiations between the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) and MLS's Professional Referees Organization (PRO), tensions escalated as the PSRA accused stand-in officials of making critical mistakes that impacted match outcomes.

In a scathing statement posted on Twitter, the PSRA lamented the loss of points, incorrect red card decisions, and missed penalty calls attributed to substitute referees in recent games. The union's assertion underscores the escalating frustration stemming from the league's decision to employ replacement officials following the breakdown of contract talks.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber's remarks to The Athletic last week, expressing satisfaction with the performance of substitute referees, were met with swift rebuttal from the MLS Players Association (MLSPA). The players' union denounced Garber's assertion, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with the standard of officiating, citing concerns over under-training and lack of experience among substitute referees.

The contentious nature of last weekend's fixtures further exacerbated tensions surrounding officiating in MLS. Coaches and players alike voiced their grievances, with Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith criticizing several contentious decisions in his team's loss to Nashville, including a clear penalty that went unawarded.

Los Angeles Galaxy's Maya Yoshida and Montreal coach Laurent Courtois echoed sentiments of frustration over officiating errors, reflecting the widespread discontent among MLS stakeholders. Yoshida's terse response and Courtois's impassioned critique underscore the magnitude of the issue, as teams grapple with the fallout from officiating controversies affecting match outcomes.

As negotiations between the PSRA and MLS leadership continue, the spotlight remains on the quality of officiating in MLS and the urgency to resolve the labor dispute. With the league's reputation at stake and players and coaches demanding accountability, finding common ground becomes imperative to restore confidence in MLS's refereeing standards.