NFL could use replacement referees in 2012 (USA TODAY)

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By Robert Klemko, USA TODAY

Updated 1h 38m ago

The labor agreement between the NFL and its game officials expires at the end of the month, and now the two sides are headed for federal mediation in striking a new deal.

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By Paul Morse, for USA TODAY

The NFL and the referees' association accepted an offer Thursday from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the league has begun looking at the possibility of replacement officials,according to the Washington Post.

Said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello: "The goal is to negotiate an agreement."

In 2001, before the sides agreed on the contract which expires next week, replacement officials manned the first week of the regular season before a deal was struck.

The FMCS unsuccessfully mediated labor negotiations between the NFL and its players before that labor agreement expired last year. The sides came to an agreement more than four months later under the guidance of a court-appointed mediator.

Contributing: Associated Press