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Toronto FC: Referees Affecting too Many Games, but we Have the Answer

By Paul Taylor

Apr 2, 2016; Commerce City, CO, USA; MLS referee Ismail Elfath hands out a red card to Toronto FC midfielder Benoit Cheyrou (8) in the second half of the match against the Colorado Rapid sat Dicks Sporting Goods Park. The Colorado Rapids defeated Toronto FC 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Commerce City, CO, USA; MLS referee Ismail Elfath hands out a red card to Toronto FC midfielder Benoit Cheyrou (8) in the second half of the match against the Colorado Rapid sat Dicks Sporting Goods Park. The Colorado Rapids defeated Toronto FC 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto FC have now had their last three results impacted by questionable refereeing decisions, but we believe we have the solution.

After four games, Toronto FC find themselves sitting four points off the pace in the Eastern Conference. On some levels, this is an acceptable achievement, given that they have yet to play at home.

Regardless, there is still a certain element of ‘what if’ about the Reds current position. Indeed, you could make a solid argument that they should be tied at the top of the standings.

After opening the season with a win, TFC have had their last three results impacted by controversy. It all started against New York City FC, when a missed clear-cut handball by David Villa resulted in a goal, and a 2-2 tie.

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Then last week, play was allowed to go on after a foul on Justin Morrow, leading to the winning goal for Sporting KC. That’s three potentially precious points lost.

They say bad things come in threes, and that’s the case, after Benoit Cheyrou‘s controversial sending off in Colorado on Saturday. Cheyrou was handed a second yellow following an innocent challenge in the air, after Bobby Burling resorted to the all too familiar tactic of ‘hamming it up’.

As pathetic as this type of gamesmanship is, it achieved its purpose. Forced to play most of the match with just 10 men, Toronto FC were always going to struggle to get back in the game, after conceding a 20th-minute goal.

This all leads to the obvious question about what the solution is? As easy as it is to blame the referees – and sometimes they really are that incompetent – it can often be tough to make split-second decisions in real time.

Toronto FC
May 13, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney gestures at the fourth official as he disputes a call during an Amway Canadian Championship game against Montreal Impact at BMO Field. Toronto won 3-2 but Montreal advanced on aggregate score. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

The common answer is to suggest bringing in instant replay. In theory, this is a good idea, when you consider how much is often at stake for the teams.

The biggest problem with this is football is not like other sports, such as the NFL version, baseball, tennis and cricket. All of those sports have more natural pauses in the action.

Even if instant replay is brought in, you then have to decide how much it should be utilized. Use it too often, and next thing you know you have a 90-minute game taking twice as long to finish.

The thing is, instant replay is going to come into the game eventually, as there’s far too much money involved in the game. With that in mind, we have one suggestion.

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Control the use of instant reply, by limiting how many times a team can protest. Give each team two challenges per half, but with the knowledge that if the first one in each 45 minute period is overruled, they don’t get the second one.

This way, you’re putting some of the responsibility on the head coaches. In addition, a maximum of four stoppages per half doesn’t sound too bad.

Furthermore, allow the teams to challenge absolutely anything they want, whether it be a penalty decision, a sending off, if a goal should have stood, etc. Again though, you put the onus on the head coach and his players to wisely choose what to challenge.

As a bonus, use this system to try and cut down on cheating. If a replay shows an opponent was, for example, faking an injury or diving to get a penalty, give them a card.

Now, we’re not claiming this idea is an infallible solution, but it could potentially make the game even more interesting, while not slowing it down too much. Ultimately though, something has to be done, which we’re sure Toronto FC would agree with.

Next: Is Jozy Altidore overrated?

What do you make of how referees have affected the last three games for TFC? Do you want to see some changes or do you accept the current set up? Let us know in the comments section below.

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