Overview of the Professional Referee Organization’s Decision
The Professional Referee Organization (PRO), responsible for the oversight and training of referees in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the United Soccer League (USL), has announced plans to reassess its criteria regarding the affiliations referees may have with clubs. This decision follows a wave of attention directed at referee Tim Ford after images surfaced on social media depicting him and his family at an LAFC match. Despite the uproar, PRO confirmed that Ford will not face disciplinary action for his attendance.
Controversial Officiating Decisions
Ford’s officiating has come under intense criticism, particularly after a recent game in which the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1. In that match, Ford issued a red card to Vancouver’s Edier Ocampo for what he interpreted as two separate yellow card incidents. Additionally, he awarded a controversial penalty against the Whitecaps’ defender Tristan Blackmon, which was successfully converted by San Jose’s Josef Martinez.
Vancouver manager Jesper Sorensen expressed his disbelief at the penalty decision, pointing out that it was a slip rather than a foul, stating, “Everybody who watched the game saw a man slip and one man saw a penalty.”
Reevaluation of Referee Policies
In the aftermath of this match, images of Ford and his family at various LAFC games resurfaced online, primarily from the Instagram account of his wife, which has since been switched to private. These revelations reignited discussions about Ford’s neutrality as a referee, especially given his past controversies, including an incident in 2023 during playoff matches between Vancouver and LAFC, where he once again awarded a penalty against the Whitecaps that led to significant backlash.
PRO reached out to ESPN regarding the situation, asserting that Ford’s lack of LAFC merchandise in the photos cleared him of any sanctions while emphasizing the need for a review of their current policies regarding referees’ associations with teams. A PRO spokesperson remarked, “We are re-evaluating our processes about what constitutes a connection with a club.”
Statistical Overview
Statistically, Ford’s officiating record with Vancouver stands at an even 3-3-3, while he has led LAFC matches to a record of 3-2-2.
