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NFLPA and referees union raise safety concerns over replacement officials

Unions warn that using replacement officials next season could pose risks to players.

Published Apr 1, 2026, 1:39 PM EDT | WFMZZ

Leaders of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) said Wednesday they are concerned about player safety if the league turns to replacement referees next season. The unions issued the warning amid discussions about staffing for future games, saying replacement officials could present safety risks for players.