MLS Plans to Search for Referees in the Premier League: Fan View

Several sources have confirmed that MLS plans to expand its referee restructuring program by searching for new hires from the Premier League. After the previous announcement to form the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) and hire Peter Walton, new information indicates that there is a massive headhunt for additional referees.

Stealing from the Premier League

MLS has already convinced Peter Walton to declare a retirement from the Premier League and become the manager of the Professional Referee Organization. However, it seems that the league is not pleased to take only one of the referees and is actively searching for additional recruits. The Premier League is quickly becoming an easy target for an organization that is desperate to overhaul serious referee problems.

Major League Soccer needs to improve the referee structure, and it is an area of the organization that has been neglected for years. PRO is supposed to change everything as the focus on training and quality increases. Since MLS is allegedly giving Walton an enormous amount of freedom, it is not surprising that more referees will be coming from the English league.

The Money

It may be easy for Major League Soccer to get the referees it wants from the Premier League. Although salary figures continue to be a closely guarded secret in the organization, there are rumors that MLS is prepared to give referees more than $115,000 to convince them to make the move. The actual figures could be significantly higher.

The Impressive Resume

What will make a referee stand out and get noticed by MLS? A press conference, held by the league after the announcement of the Professional Referee Organization, offers a few clues. The MLS executive vice president of competition, Nelson Rodriguez, cited Walton's "extraordinary resume" as the main reason for his hire.

MLS claims to have done an extensive search beyond the Premier League before hiring Peter Walton. However, fans have pointed out that it is not likely to have been intense because MLS has a tendency to be enamored with the Premier League. Now, as the headhunt for more referees to help PRO continues, there have been no rumors to indicate that MLS is searching for anyone beyond the English league.

More from this contributor:

MLS is Coming to NBC in 2012: Fan View

Why MLS Will Continue to Compete for Players with China: Fan View

MLS Expansion Possibilities in 2012: Fan View

Lana follows MLS, UEFA and FIFA. She has been a faithful fan of the Chicago Fire since 1998. Follow @Lana_Bandoim on Twitter.

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