Okay, so MLS ref Jair Marrufo throws a questionable red card Columbus’s way for a “hit” on Chicago Fire DP Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and Blanco gives the ref his shirt after the game.
MLS yanks Marrufo from his next assignment, and the entire odd bit of business is under review.
I’m not going to get into conspiracy theories here. This is far more likely a case of ego and situational unawareness than a blatant public play to rip off the defending MLS champions.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] But I’m pleasantly surprised to see Major League Soccer actually take an apparent interest in the perception of its officiating.
Earlier this season, Marrufo hit a low-water mark – even for this league – when he awarded a game-breaking penalty kick for hand-ball in the box … for a ball played cleanly off a D.C. United defender’s thigh. That’s similar to an old Monty Python joke of a cricketer being called out for “bat before wicket.”
Officiating in Our Little League is notoriously weak and thin. And while I still don’t buy the argument that it drove ex-TFC coach John Carver away from an improving team that had just cracked its lingering formation problems, there has long been cause for concern.
For whatever reason, MLS takes very little hand in the selection – and training – of its arbiters. They pretty much wave onto the field any refs the USSF or CSA sends them, blithely and blindly hoping for the best.
Not to pick on Marrufo in particular, but it is long-since time this changed.
MLS needs to invest some of their fresh tidal wash of expansion money into significantly upgrading the way the North American pro game is called. The world is awash with recently retired refs. These are dedicated, experienced soccer judges, who can lead by example.
It’s not even that the present refs are that bad. Mostly, the chronic gaffing is down to inexperience. There’s been so little division-one soccer in this part of the world, MLS routinely settles for officials whose experience simply does not match the speed, intensity and high-stakes nature of the pro game.
I say again, Italy has an age-limit for refs. No matter how good you are, you’re finished at 45. And while I think this rule is insanity itself, it creates a fine opportunity for MLS. Throw some money at some 46-year-old Italians! Let them run clinics, ref some games, do some serious assessment work on the current crop of officials.
The goal isn’t to single anyone out or make a bunch of well-meaning over-matched card wavers look bad. MLS refs can do that all on their own – and do, most weeks.
This is about taking care of the game.
Better officiating is good for everyone – the refs and linesman most of all! The money and expertise are there. It’s time for the league to show initiative and leadership, thank the USSF and CSA for their trouble, and bring responsibility for MLS officiating in-house.
Ever since the arrival of David Beckham, the rest of the world has been watching. They see the ref mess here. They know.
The simple question to commissioner Don Garber isn’t “what are you going to do about Jair Marrufo?” It’s “what are you going to about the entire over-strained, over-burdened, inefficient and incompetent set-up?”
You can’t charge $35-million and up for expansion franchises, and let well-meaning boobs with flags and cards run around playing ref. It’s a significant MLS shortcoming, and it must be addressed.
Onward!