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MLS Prepared To Start Season Without Regular Refs

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Soccer is prepared to start its season this weekend even if there isn't a labor deal with its referees and other on-field officials.

The Professional Soccer Referee Association was certified by the National Labor Relations Board last May to represent referees, assistant referees and fourth officials working MLS games. It has not reached an agreement with the Professional Referee Organization, which was created by the U.S. Soccer Federation and MLS in 2012 to manage game officials in U.S. and Canadian professional leagues.

The PSRA has filed a pair of unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB's New York office.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber says Tuesday that "nothing is going to stop us from having a strong opening and to continue to grow this league."

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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