Did ref mistakes cost Toronto FC points in recent games?
It appears the Professional Referee Organization admitted that errors were made regarding two penalties that went against TFC.
Toronto FC marked its return from the FIFA World Cup break this month by earning a pair of draws over the course of three consecutive road games. But an argument can be made that TFC could have taken a few more points if not for a pair of officiating decisions that didn’t go their way.
In a 0-0 draw against CF Montreal on July 16, Josh Sargent appeared to be fouled from behind by defender Brayan Vera inside the box as the DP forward attempted to latch onto a pass from Alonso Coello. No penalty was given and coach Robin Fraser said later on that the play wasn’t reviewed by VAR.
In last weekend’s 2-1 loss to D.C. United, defender Jackson Gilman was judged to have fouled Andre Dozzell inside the 18-yard-box when the referee watched a replay on the pitch side monitor following a VAR review. Tai Baribo converted the penalty deep into injury time to lift D.C. to the win.
Jase Kim, Toronto FC’s technical video coach, told TFC Republic on Tuesday that the club filed a complaint to PRO (Professional Referee Organization), the organization that oversees the refs in MLS, about the non-penalty call on Sargent in Montreal and the penalty decision that went against Jackson in D.C. He said PRO admitted that mistakes were made in both instances.
