The refereeing of the match between the LA Galaxy and Inter Miami left a lot to be desired, once again, including an improbable red card inflicted on the Californians.
For its second MLS match of the season, Inter Miami was held to a draw on the Los Angeles Galaxy (1-1) on Sunday evening. The Floridians managed to equalize in added time thanks to a goal from the inevitable Lionel Messi, following a double one-two with his friend Jordi Alba. But a few minutes earlier, the Galaxy had been reduced to ten men after a contentious action.
The slow motion is terrible: the player who tackles, Delgado, does not even seem to touch Busquets, who adds a lot and prompts the referee to issue a second yellow card. Would the decision have been the same for a foul on a player with a less extensive track record? It’s tempting to think not.
“We were already able to observe it at the end of last season with Messi, and in the first two matches of this season we are still thinking about it with Messi, Busquets, Suarez or Alba: the MLS referees whistle everything and don’t matter anything in their favor, observes analyst Kevin Nieto, a big follower of MLS. This is particularly telling with Messi who just needs to shout with his arms in the air after a contact for the game to stop, but more generally the slightest slightly rough contact with one of the 4 and it’s a fault (and cardboard). »
MLS referees are on strike
To be complete on the subject, it should be remembered that MLS referees are currently on strike at the start of the season, and replaced by second or third level referees. Mr. Ciampi, the referee chosen for this meeting, is a music composer who had until now only officiated in USL League One, the equivalent of the North American third division.
The Athletic returned to their match, which was difficult. “Mr Ciampi rightly whistled a penalty for a foul by Busquets on Paintsil, but he also had to show several yellow cards because the players were frustrated by his decisions and received warnings for contesting”, observes the American media. So there was then this famous second yellow card for Delgado, where he clearly made a mistake, and where the VAR did not see fit to intervene. But Floridians also had criticisms of Mr. Ciampi. After the match, we saw Lionel Messi slip a few friendly words to the American referee.
