Inter Miami have captivated MLS audiences since signing Lionel Messi last season, but their uniforms have emerged at the center of refereeing controversy during the early stages of the 2024 season.
Guilherme Cerreta, the referee for Saturday’s game between Inter Miami and Orlando City, was fired after a photo of Cerreta wearing an Inter Miami jersey was leaked on social media. He was succeeded by Jaime Herrera.
“Referee Guilherme Cerreta has been removed from the match due to a potential conflict,” the professional refereeing organization said in a statement. he told The Athletic in a statement..
Saturday, after photos surfaced of him wearing the team’s jersey. Screen capture via X/@MLSRefStats
From left, wearing an Inter Miami jersey. Screen capture via X/@MLSRefStats
Ceretta is one of four people in two of the photos posted, and one of two in the other set, wearing a black Inter Miami sign with pink lettering. Only one person is wearing the jersey.
It is unclear when the photo was taken or if there was a number or name on the back of the jersey.
The Athletic reported that everything unfolded over three hours, from 9 a.m., when referee placement was first announced, until the change was made by 11:45 a.m.
And this all ended up as a lockout involving regular MLS officials, resulting in replacement referees being scheduled for the match by the PRO, including both Ceretta and Herrera.
Negotiations continue with the Professional Soccer Referees Association to conclude a new collective bargaining agreement. According to ESPN.
“As long as we continue to focus on fighting organized labor instead of utilizing the most well-trained and experienced officials in the league, we will continue to be distracted from promoting the best game,” the PSRA president said. Peter Manikowski told the media. Saturday’s statement. “Sports integrity provisions are in our CBA and we take them very seriously.
“But if the league realizes that professional officials are asking for too much, the first thing it should do is implement a sports integrity backstop that includes rigorous fitness testing, medical checks, background checks, and anti-doping.” . The sport is going to suffer eventually.”
Inter Miami won their first game of 2024 against Real Salt Lake, 2-0, before drawing with Los Angeles Galaxy four days later.
Through these games, Messi recorded one goal and one assist with a team-high 13 shots (including six on target).
“I think the world’s attention is on Inter Miami, and I hope they can live up to that and people’s expectations,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said at Inter Miami’s opening game. Told. According to the Associated Press.
“Mainly, I want his experience to be a good one, the team’s experience to be successful and where they are, not just here in the league, but around the world.” is the story that we think is most important to us.”
