MLS switch officials after referee pictured in Inter Miami jersey

There was a late change to the starting line-ups ahead of Inter Miami’s MLS clash against Orlando City. On the day of the game the referee was replaced after a photograph emerged of him wearing an Inter Miami jersey.

The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) and the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) are still at odds over a pay dispute. No PSRA members have officiated games in MLS this season, forcing the league to find replacement referees.

The Miami-Orlando clash was supposed to be (replacement) refereed by Guiherme Ceretta and his appointment had already been confirmed by PRO. However shortly before the Game photos came to light online which showed Ceretta wearing an Inter Miami jersey.

The photo was posted on social media on Saturday morning and the reassignment was made within hours.

“Referee Guiherme Ceretta was removed from the game due to a potential conflict,” PRO told The Athletic in a statement.

The ongoing stand-off between the league and the referee’s union is causing major headaches for league officials and has, at times, appeared to lessen the quality of officiating on show. The replacement referees are typically not professionals and are being called upon at the last minute to oversee MLS fixtures.

On Friday PRO informed the PSRA that the existing contract offer to its members stands until midnight on Monday, 11 March. Referees have little over a week to decide on that deal.