Washington (United States) (AFP) – Leaders of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) said Wednesday they are concerned about player safety if the league turns to replacement referees next season. Negotiations have stalled between the NFL and its referees union over a new collective bargaining agreement, and team owners passed a new rule for next season that would allow NFL officials to help replacement referees if they are used for the campaign that starts in September.
Not having experienced referees, however, creates safety worries for NFLPA executive director J.C. Tretter. “Player safety requires trained, professional officials on the field,” Tretter said. “They manage the game in real time, enforce the rules and stop situations from escalating. That can’t be replaced by less experienced crews or handled remotely. If player safety truly matters, trained professional officials on the field are not negotiable.”
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NFLRA executive director Scott Green said veteran referees are essential to keeping players safe in a fast and hard-hitting sport. “Professional officials are trained to control the game in real time,” Green said. “They are the first responders on the field – maintaining order, enforcing rules, and preventing dangerous situations from escalating.”
Green and Tretter met Tuesday and agreed that moving certain decisions and support review to a centralized system would replace experienced officials making immediate, on-field judgments. With several games played at the same time each week, Green and Tretter called it unrealistic to expect a remote operation to manage player interactions, de-escalate conflicts, and enforce rules in real time. They predicted less experienced officials would be more likely to miss calls or respond late in critical moments, increasing the risk of player injuries.
“We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached that avoids past disruptions and ensures the game continues to be officiated at the highest level,” Green said.
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