O-Town's 11
Fansided

MLS takes aim at a rule that caught Orlando City SC several times last season

• Lions caught by Mass Confrontation Rule several times
• New additional rule will keep sanctions down
• Players and Captain will need to make it work
ByChuck Wharton|
Nov 24, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique (7) celebrates a first half goal against Atlanta United in a 2024 MLS Cup conference semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Nov 24, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique (7) celebrates a first half goal against Atlanta United in a 2024 MLS Cup conference semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

The MLS Mass Confrontation Policy caught several teams last season. It caught Orlando City SC more than once.

MLS has enacted a new rule for 2025. This is crafted to help save teams like Orlando City SC from violating the Mass Confrontation Rule. The Lions got caught by this one more than once last season.

This makes team Orlando Captain Robin Jansson the only Lion during a match who may communicate team grievances regarding key decisions to the referee. This goes for all the other MLS squads and their captains.

Despite the Mass Confrontation Rule, MLS players are not prone to potentially violent bench clearings like in some other sports.

But it looks intimidating when every player from every team on the pitch surrounds a referee after a key decision. The referee is understandably more interested in getting out of the crowd than considering whether to reverse the ruling.

When Orlando City and Atlanta United got charged with a Mass Confrontation violation after a November match, players and head coaches suffered sanctions. Whenever this rule is triggered, accusations range from inciting the confrontation to escalating it.

The rule requires three or more players to engage in verbal or physical confrontation, then intimidating or aggressive behavior involving a referee. This occurred after Orlando striker Facundo Torres fell to the ground and started writhing.

This incident was the third of the season for Orlando and the second for Atlanta.

The Mass Confrontation rule remains in place. The Only the Captain rule goes on top of it.

The International Football Association Board explains that this rule is necessary because mass confrontations harm the game's image and can intimidate the referee. IFAB reports that intimidation from mass confrontations is a common reason that match officials resign.

Communication of grievances is also important. So instead of two teams surrounding the referee, a captain-only zone is formed, and all viewpoints are communicated.

This will keep the match moving and reduce the number of fines against Orlando City SC players and their opponents.