MLS said Saturday that it will start the season this coming week with replacement game officials after the referees’ union overwhelmingly rejected a tentative labor agreement with the organization that oversees officiating in this country.
The league opener is Wednesday in South Florida, featuring Lionel Messi and Inter Miami against Real Salt Lake. A full slate of matches are scheduled next weekend.
The Professional Referee Organization informed MLS that, as of midnight Sunday, it will lock out members of the Professional Soccer Referees Association, which on Saturday turned down a five-year package that PRO says would have increased overall compensation by 25 percent.