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Lionel Messi Inter Miami 2024Getty
Peter McVitie

The referee's a Lionel Messi fan?! Shock as controversial pictures lead to match official being REMOVED just a few hours before Inter Miami's MLS clash with Orlando City

The replacement referee assigned to Inter Miami's MLS match against Orlando City on Saturday has been changed after a conflict of interest emerged.

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  • PRO forced to make late referee change
  • Original official spotted in Inter Miami kit
  • MLS have to rely on replacement refs

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Referee Guiherme Ceretta was assigned to oversee the MLS match in Florida on Saturday, but the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) confirmed that he has since replaced by Jamie Herrera, who was initially listed as the fourth official.

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  • THE EXPLANATION

    The change was made after images emerged on social media of Ceretta wearing an Inter Miami jersey.

    PRO issued a statement to The Athletic that read: "Referee Guiherme Ceretta was removed from the game due to a potential conflict."

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    PRO have had to draft in replacement referees for the second week in a row after the organisation and the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) failed to come to terms over a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The officials used in this week's games are from youth and college levels, different levels of the USL and MLS NEXT Pro.

  • Lionel Messi Luis Suarez Inter Miami 2024Getty

    WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

    Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami co-stars have taken four points from their first two matches of the new MLS campaign. Despite the late disruption regarding the officials, they will hope to secure another win when they meet their Florida rivals.