Jonathan Johnson retweeted
[#MundialSub17Femenino]
🇲🇦 Marruecos vs Nueva Zelanda 🇳🇿
A: Carly Shaw-MacLaren 🇨🇦
A1: Melissa Snedden 🇨🇦
A2: Stephanie Yee Sing 🇯🇲
4ta: Natalie Simon 🇺🇸
5ta: Kali Smith 🇺🇸
Our statement regarding @MLSNEXTPRO and their handling of a recent disciplinary issue:
ALT During a recent MLS NEXT Pro match, a male head coach committed two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female official -- squeezing her hand and refusing to let go after being told to stop three times. This physical intimidation was compounded by a demeaning, sexist remark to the official: "Don't forget, this is a man's game." MLS NEXT Pro investigated and responded with a two-game suspension and other non-suspension discipline. U.S. Soccer policy states a “forceful grab” like this requires a minimum three-game suspension. Acts of discrimination also require a minimum three-game suspension. MLS NEXT Pro’s own manual also states that coaches are held to “a higher professional standard than players.” The League’s response falls drastically short of the right message to the participants, the referees, and the public. It needs to be reevaluated. Women make every level of this game better. They should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments to prove it.
Jonathan Johnson retweeted
It was a history-making summer for the PSRA Officials representing the US & Canada at the 2026 World Cup!
The team of Ismail Elfath, Corey Parker, and Kyle Atkins became the most decorated American on-field crew when they officiated England vs. Argentina in the semifinal. They also became the first American crew to work multiple knockout round matches, taking charge of Norway vs. Brazil in the Round of 16, following 2 group stage games.
Drew Fischer, Micheal Barwegen, and Lyes Arfa became the first Canadian trio to work a Men’s World Cup match when they officiated the France vs. Iraq group stage game in Philadelphia. The crew finished with 2 group stage matches and worked the highly entertaining Round of 32 matchup between Cabo Verde and Argentina.
The crew of Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo, and Katy Nesbitt became the first all-female American crew to work a Men’s World Cup match when they took the field for Czechia vs. South Africa. The crew worked 2 group games, with Tori and Brooke also selected as 4th official and Reserve AR for 2 games, including the Round of 32 match between France and Sweden.
Video Match Officials Armando Villarreal and Joe Dickerson combined for 25 assignments in the booth during the 2026 World Cup, including 13 knockout round matches.
PSRA congratulates the 11 match officials who represented the United States and Canada at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for their performances!
Jonathan Johnson retweeted
“It’s been an immense privilege”
Anthony Taylor has retired from elite officiating after a distinguished career spanning more than two decades and 831 matches.
Trusted with the some of the biggest fixtures in domestic and international football, Anthony officiated every major domestic cup final and represented English refereeing on the global stage at two FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships as well as taking charge of the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final and the 2023 UEFA Europa League final.
Anthony’s final appointment - the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 tie between Portugal and Spain - was a fitting way to conclude an astounding career.
Read more here: eng.football/qdpjye
Jonathan Johnson retweeted
Interesting back-story to Ismail Elfath, the American referee for England v Argentina. Born in Casablanca, Elfath won a US government “diversity lottery ticket” aged 18. Left an extended family of 16 in his grandfather’s house (his mother died when he was 8), arrived with $200 at University of Texas at Austin.
Studied mechanical engineering, played decent standard locally (striker for Austin Lightning in USL League Two) and complained about refereeing standards so decided to become one. Continued playing until tackled badly from behind, over-reacted, sent off, and argued with ref, grabbing the red card, on way off. Briefly suspended, so decided to focus on reffing.
Got a job in IT (useful for VAR) while climbing refereeing ladder. Not that well-known, mainly MLS, but did Qatar 2022, upset Cristiano Ronaldo by disallowed a goal for an apparent foul, and a lucky omen for Argentina – fourth official in the 2022 final they won.
Now 44, and a naturalised US citizen, Elfath has spoken candidly to his local Austin American-Statesman newspaper about being Muslim after 9/11, talking of the abuse but also of the great kindness of Austin people. Role model for US refereeing and his faith. #ENGARG #FIFAWorldCup
My father-in-law left behind a binder of all of his WC'94 info. He was the Referee Liaison in Dallas, as well as a ticket-holding fan. The binder has Ref instruction, ticket info, etc. It's a time capsule to a pre-internet world & pre-$150 parking passes.
drive.google.com/drive/folde…
There are some other items that aren't scannable, and I need to make a trip to the @soccerhof to see what can get donated there. In the meantime, I made a google drive of the info so that fellow nerds who are interested can take a peek.
#WorldCup
Jonathan Johnson retweeted
"But a goal will not count if a player is offsides."
"When is a player offsides?"
"Whenever anything exciting happens."
I propose that @FCTulsa one-up the OKC Energy with their own outdoor 'soccer court' (or courts) so that the fam doesn't have to stop in OKC on the holiday trips to/from Tulsa. The OKC court is excellent and perfectly sized - 20yd X 30yd - in the heart of downtown.
Jonathan Johnson retweeted
Referees are essential teammates — even if they wear a different jersey. On International Referee Day, let’s celebrate their dedication and demand respect. #RespectTheCall
My son signed up to be a ref a couple of weeks ago. Did his first games today. Little did I know that @coreyrock's Power Squat™️ could also be used as a means to see under the corner flag...
Post-game: "I want to do that again!"
(Sign up to Ref here): linktr.ee/psraofficials
Jonathan Johnson retweeted
Truly scary moment. Great sportsmanship and recognition of the moment from Wilfried Nancy, Brian Schmetzer and the referee crew to call the game. Players with tears in their eyes watching Stef Frei being loaded into the ambulance.
All that matters from today is Stef’s health.
SafeSport is underfunded, understaffed, and yet still overreaches into everything. Notably, it was also inadequately led. It can only get better from here. Replacing Colon is long overdue. The lawyers at USSF and elsewhere learned to exploit things to benefit their orgs.
BREAKING: The U.S. Center for SafeSport has parted ways with CEO Ju’Riese Colón.
Colón’s departure is the latest and most visceral sign of a crisis that began after revelations the center had hired an investigator who would later be charged with rape.
apnews.com/article/us-center…
Jonathan Johnson retweeted
#️⃣4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣
Congratulations to Corey Rockwell, who tonight will be officiating his 400th regular season #MLS match as an assistant referee, the first official to reach that milestone! Corey has been a pillar of consistency & professionalism in the game and we celebrate this incredible achievement with him.
#referee
Jonathan Johnson retweeted
I spent a day finding out why a former footballer would ever want to become a referee...
@TheiPaperSport inews.co.uk/sport/football/r…
Jonathan Johnson retweeted
On #internationalwomensday, we celebrate the progress over the last 10 years that has been made in the sport. Trailblazers of the past generations helped create opportunities for today's officials. We've all seen the results firsthand. Here's to seeing which walls the next generation of female officials break down.
#trailblazer #referee #soccer #fifa #mls #nwsl #usl
