NEW YORK -- Major League Soccers referees and other on-field officials were locked out Friday, a day before the season openers. The Professional Referee Organization, which manages game officials for the U.S. Soccer Federation and MLS, notified the Professional Soccer Referee Association of the lockout and said replacement officials will be used. PRO said the union, which was formed last year, rejected a no strike-no lockout agreement that management had proposed. The sides have bargained since July without reaching a deal on a labour contract. "Our proposal represents a significant increase above current compensation for referees and places them above the average for officials around the world," said PRO general manager Peter Walton, an English Premier League referee from 2003-12. PRO said in the 1 1/2 years since its formation, it had increased full-time officials from two to nine and added 11 part-time officials. The PSRA has filed unfair labour practice charges accusing the PRO of bad-faith bargaining and making threats against its members. "We have requested a plethora of information, including financials, that PRO and MLS have refused to provide, instead demanding we take their pleas of poverty at face value," said Lukas Middlebrook, a lawyer for the union. Replacements this weekend include former Ireland referee Alan Kelly (Kansas City-Seattle); former Greece referee Ioannis Stavridis (Philadelphia-Portland); current Puerto Rico referees Javier Santos (Salt Lake-Los Angeles) and William Anderson (Chicago-Chivas USA); former MLS referees Abbey Okulaja (New York-Vancouver) and Ramon Hernandez (New England-Houston); former MLS fourth official Jorge Luna (Montreal-Dallas); and current North American Soccer League referee Andres Pfefferkorn (Columbus-D.C.). Kelly is a veteran of five World Cup qualifiers and three Champions League matches. . The Lakers announced the latest injury setback for the two-time NBA MVP on Monday after Nash consulted with a back specialist. [url=http://www.throwbackonlineshop.com/chicago-white-sox-ozzie-guillen-throwbac... Guillen Jersey .C. -- Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith says his left knee feels "fine" and hopes to be ready to play Sunday against San Francisco in the NFC divisional playoffs. . Stephens, who beat Serena Williams en route to the 2013 Australian Open semifinals, won nine of the last 10 games in a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Anabel Medina Garrigues in the womens singles before Isner beat Daniel Munoz-de La Nava 6-3, 6-4. [url=http://www.throwbackonlineshop.com/los-angeles-angels-of-anaheim-rod-carew-... Carew angels Jersey . "From my knowledge, I know that Chicago wants to go a different route with me," Hester told the NFL Network. "All I can say is thanks to the fans for their support.KAZAN, Russia -- FIFA says the qualifying draw for the 2018 World Cup will be made on July 25, 2015 in St. Petersburg. The event was confirmed on Tuesday at a meeting of the local organizing committee in Kazan. FIFA also confirmed a lucrative expansion of its sponsorship program for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, being played in Russia and Qatar, respectively. The third tier of sponsors will include fourr partners in each of five regions: Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America and South America.dddddddddddd FIFA first outlined the plan last December, which replaces the six national sponsors signed for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and 2014 tournament in Brazil. FIFA earned $1.072 billion in marketing rights from the 2010 World Cup, and an increase is expected for 2014. Cheap Jerseys For Sale Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Supply Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '