Wayne Rooney believes refereeing standards in the MLS have to improve if the league is to become one of the best in the world.
The former Manchester United man, now in charge of DC United, was disappointed with the officials in his side's weekend 2-1 defeat to Real Salt Lake. Rooney felt DC were denied a clear penalty during the contest, having already been reduced to 10 men, and questioned the decision for a second-tier United States League referee to be in the middle on a night when only six MLS matches were taking place.
The MLS is becoming an increasingly popular league, with a 10-year $2.5billion TV deal signed with Apple and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami imminent. But Rooney, who ended his playing days with DC United before returning as manager a year ago, says work needs to be done before it can be mentioned among the leading leagues in the world, starting with the officials.
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"There is six games tonight, so why do we get a USL referee?" he said after the weekend loss. "The guy has refereed four games in the MLS before, I don't get it. Where are the MLS referees? Because that is not good enough.
"And they can ban me if they want, or fine me, but I am sick of it. If this league wants to grow and improve they have to do it with the officials as well. It is not just the referee, there is a group of people who are getting these decisions wrong and it needs to improve."
DC United are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference. They return to action this weekend against Cincinnati.
