MLS Season Begins Amid Referee Lockout and Protests

As Major League Soccer's 29th season kicks off, the league faces challenges with a referee lockout and protests demanding better pay and conditions.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber criticizes the Professional Soccer Referees Association's collective bargaining approach and expresses disappointment over the lockout.
Replacement referees are being used as the league's regular officials protest for better pay and working conditions, including more business-class flights and recovery time.
Protests by locked-out referees and supporters took place outside MLS and PRO offices in New York and Dallas, highlighting the dispute's impact on the season's start.
MLS's participation in the U.S. Open Cup is under scrutiny, with reports suggesting only eight teams will compete in the 2024 tournament.
The referee lockout raises concerns about the quality of officiating and player safety, with the MLS Players Association warning of potential negative impacts.