NFL owners “approved an extensive contingency plan” Tuesday at league meetings to “centralize officiating in the event of a work stoppage” as negotiations continue on a CBA with the NFL Referees Association. The series of changes will “not apply if the NFLRA officials are under contract when games begin.” The rule allows league staff members in the NFL’s officiating command center in N.Y. to “alert a replacement referee if they see clear and obvious evidence of an uncalled foul for roughing the passer, intentional grounding or an act that would normally lead to disqualification.” Those staff members would also be “permitted to alert replacement referees that a flag shouldn’t have been thrown if there is clear and obvious video evidence that ‘at least one element of the foul called is not present.’” An amended version of another officiating proposal, which “will apply whether or not there is an agreement with the NFLRA,” would allow league personnel to “consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field” (ESPN.com, 3/31).
NFL owners approve officiating rules in case replacement refs used
