The U.S. Soccer Federation has ended the MLS season early for three veteran referees, reports Steven Goff of the Washington Post. Jair Marrufo has been removed from the assignment rotation for “poor performances” over the course of the season. Michael Kennedy and Abbey Okulaja have been ousted for failing midseason fitness tests that require sprints and long distance running. Kennedy and Okulaja cannot referee for the rest of the year, while Marrufo, a FIFA referee, remains eligible for other events.
The drop in the form of these referees appears rapid and drastic based on their past accomplishments. Marrufo won MLS referee of the year last year and was a finalist in ’07. Kennedy was a finalist in 2006 and ’08. Okulaja won in 2004 and was runner-up in ’05.
Earlier this year, Marrufo was suspended two matches by the USSF for accepting Chicago star Cuauhtemoc Blanco‘s jersey after a game. In June, he was cited for stopping a game in Houston to administer a water break, and in March he was criticized for allowing play to continue after two D.C. United players suffered head injuries in a collision. According to Goff, Marrufo has not worked an MLS match since June 24. Okulaja has been out since July 18 and Kennedy since July 25. Kennedy and Okulaja will not have an opportunity to be tested again until before next season. Marrufo’s status as one of four full-time referees employed by the USSF will be evaluated.