New England Revolution coach Caleb Porter was fined by Major League Soccer on Friday for expressing dissatisfaction with the replacement officials who were working his team’s games while the regular referees and assistants were in a labor dispute. MLS did not disclose the specific amount of the fine.
The New England team currently has the poorest record in the league, with four losses and one draw. Porter, who is 49 years old and was hired in December, spoke out after Saturday’s 1-1 tie against Chicago.
He was upset by referee Kyle Johnston’s decision to give the Revolution’s Carles Gil a yellow card for diving in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.
Porter mentioned, “We haven’t received one big call, and we had a lot of calls against us and I think today was another day like that and I’m a bit tired of it, to be honest with you.” He expressed frustration with the lack of respect shown and highlighted a particular instance involving Gil, one of the team’s star players.
Regular MLS officials had been locked out for 37 days before a seven-year labor contract was announced on Tuesday, with their return scheduled for this weekend.
Replacement officials were utilized in the first 69 games over the opening five weeks of this season.
Porter criticized the performance of the officials, noting that both coaches and all 22 players were upset, indicating that it was a poor display by the officials. He also mentioned that teams had been instructed not to comment about the replacement officials, but he felt the need to speak up to protect his team, despite the potential consequences.
According to the MLS competition manual, public criticism that damages the image of MLS or a club can result in disciplinary action by the commissioner or their representative.
Earlier in March, Los Angeles FC coach Steve Cherundolo was fined $10,000 by Major League Soccer for expressing dissatisfaction with the conditions during a game against Salt Lake, which was played amid snow and lightning.
