Increased payments for referees in Bundesliga

The payment of referees in German professional football will be increased again for the season 2013/2014. DFB announced the new referee salaries after a meeting with representatives of the German Football League (DFL) and the referees in Frankfurt. In 2012, DFB had introduced a basic amount for the referees, independent of the number of their match appointments. Specifically, that means that Elite referees Felix Brych and Wolfgang Stark will now receive a fixed amount of 60,000 euro instead of the current 40,000 per season. This amount will gradually increase until the season 2016/2017, when it will be 75,000 euro. For their colleagues who referee at the international level or for at least five years in the Bundesliga, the salary is being increased to 50,000 euro instead of 30,000 euro and that amount will go to 65,000 euro in 2016/2017. For all other Bundesliga referees, the current salary of 20,000 euro will increase to 40,000 euro and later to 55,000 euro. The Bundesliga 2 referees, who previously received 15,000 euro, will earn 25,000 euro in the next season and 35,000 euro in 2016/2017. Match fees will remain the same: 3,800 euro in Bundesliga and 2,000 euro in 2.Bundesliga. “By increasing the basic amount for referees, the German Football League (DFL) and German Football Association (DFB) made another important step in the professionalization of referees”. Almost all of the first and second Bundesliga referees would have reduced working hours in their other profession and will have more time to invest in their football-related activities. "Therefore, it is a question of expenses, which will be financially compensated accordingly", said Knut Kircher, the German "Referee of the Year 2011/2012". The referees will work 30 to 40 hours per week. “This financial scheme allows referees to continue our task independently, flexibly and also to meet professional demands", said FIFA referee Florian Meyer (photo). The DFB decided last year to introduce the basic amount for referees, but not professional referees, as repeatedly requested by FIFA, considering that it is better to pay referees and at the same time to get them job flexibility. "The demands on our top referees are getting higher. Therefore, it is the common goal of DFB and League, to offer them a professional environment in order to optimally prepare for their tough task and can concentrate on the game. We adapted our approach to the economic situation of the referees in other major European leagues, such as Spain and Italy", said DFB President, Wolfgang Niersbach.

In the upcoming season, there will be 22 referees in Bundesliga and 20 referees will be used in the second division, but no additional assistant referees in Germany. "The DFB and the German football league are for the introduction of the goal-line technology. But that will not happen before the 2013/14 season", said Niersbach. He made ​​it clear that the DFB will introduce the technology in the future. "We agreed with our referees that we, unlike UEFA, will not use additional assistant referees", he said. However, Niersbach does not anticipate that the goal-line technology will be used in the DFB Cup because it is too expensive for amateur clubs.

Sources: DPA/ Kicker

Third seminar for prospective referees FIFA World Cup 2014

FIFA invited 52 prospective referees to attend the third seminar for the 2014 World Cup, to be held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), from 25 to 31 May 2013. There are two changes since the previous seminars took place, last month, in each confederation. Ali Albadwawi (UAE) and Khalil Al-Ghamdi (KSA) seem to be injured and will not attend this seminar, leaving only five referees on the AFC list. FIFA added two more South American referees, Heber Lopes (BRA) and Nestor Pitana (ARG), probably as reserves for Sandro Ricci (BRA) and Diego Abal (ARG). On the other hand, Nicola Rizzoli (ITA), Gianluca Rocchi (ITA) and Damir Skomina (SVN) will miss the first two days of this seminar since they will be involved in the UEFA Champions League final scheduled for 25 May 2013 in London (England).

AFC
1. Alireza Faghani (IRN, 1978)
2. Ravshan Irmatov (UZB, 1977)
3. Yuichi Nishimura (JPN, 1972)
4. Nawaf Shukralla (BAH, 1976)
5. Benjamin Williams (AUS, 1977)

CAF
1. Neant Alioum (CMR, 1982)
2. Daniel Bennett (RSA, 1976)
3. Badara Diatta (SEN, 1969)
4. Noumandiez Doue (CIV, 1970)
5. Bakary Gassama (GAM, 1979)
6. Djamel Haimoudi (ALG, 1970) 
7. Slim Jedidi (TUN, 1970)

CONCACAF
1. Joel Aguilar (SLV, 1975)
2. Roberto Garcia (MEX, 1974)
3. Mark Geiger (USA, 1974)
4. Walter Lopez (GUA, 1980)
5. Jair Marrufo (USA, 1977)
6. Roberto Moreno (PAN, 1970)
7. Marco Rodriguez (MEX, 1973)

CONMEBOL
1. Diego Abal (ARG, 1971)
2. Antonio Arias (PAR, 1972)
3. Victor Carrillo (PER, 1975)
4. Heber Lopes (BRA, 1972)
5. Raul Orosco (BOL, 1979)
6. Enrique Osses (CHI, 1974)
7. Nestor Pitana (ARG, 1975)
8. Sandro Ricci (BRA, 1974)
9. Wilmar Roldan (COL, 1980)
10. Juan Soto (VEN, 1977)
11. Martin Vazquez (URU, 1971)
12. Carlos Vera (ECU, 1976)

OFC
1. Norbert Hauata (TAH, 1979)
2. Peter O’Leary (NZL, 1972)

UEFA
1. Felix Brych (GER, 1975)
2. Cuneyt Cakir (TUR, 1976)
3. Mark Clattenburg (ENG, 1975)
4. Jonas Eriksson (SWE, 1974)
5. Viktor Kassai (HUN, 1975)
6. Pavel Kralovec (CZE, 1977)
7. Bjorn Kuipers (NED, 1973)
8. Stephane Lannoy (FRA, 1969)
9. Milorad Mazic (SRB, 1973)
10. Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR, 1979)
11. Pedro Proenca Oliveira (POR, 1970)
12. Nicola Rizzoli (ITA, 1971)
13. Gianluca Rocchi (ITA, 1973)
14. Damir Skomina (SVN, 1976)
15. Wolfgang Stark (GER, 1969)
16. Craig Thomson (SCO, 1972)
17. Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP, 1973)
18. Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP, 1971)
19. Howard Webb (ENG, 1971)

Copa Libertadores – Quarter-finals (First Leg)

22 May 2013

Real Garcilaso – Santa Fe

Referee: Leandro Vuaden (BRA, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Altemir Hausmann (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Kleber Gil (BRA)
Fourth Official: Francisco Nascimento (BRA)
Referee Observer: Victor Rivera (PER)

Fluminense – Olimpia

Referee: Roberto Silvera (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mauricio Espinosa (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Changala (URU)
Fourth Official: Andres Cunha (URU)
Referee Observer: Sergio Correa (BRA)

23 May 2013
Tijuana – Atletico Mineiro

Referee: Jose Buitrago (COL)
Assistant Referee 1: Wilmar Navarro (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Wilson Berrio (COL)
Fourth Official: Adrian Velez (COL)
Referee Observer: Mauricio Morales (MEX)

Boca Juniors – Newells Old Boys
Referee: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Hernan Maidana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Juan Belatti (ARG)
Fourth Official: Silvio Trucco (ARG)
Referee Observer: Abel Gnecco (ARG)

UEFA Champions League Final 2013: Rizzoli (ITA)

Nicola Rizzoli has been named referee for the 2013 UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munchen. The 41-year-old Italian, who has been an international referee since 2007, was selected by the UEFA Referees Committee to oversee Saturday's match at Wembley. He took charge of the inaugural UEFA Europa League final in 2010 in Hamburg, where Club Atletico de Madrid beat Fulham FC 2-1 in extra time, and also officiated three matches at UEFA EURO 2012. In total, Rizzoli has presided over 26 UEFA Champions League games, four of them this season, including the round of 16 second leg between Malaga CF and FC Porto. At the final in London, Rizzoli will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Renato Faverani and Andrea Stefani. The fourth official will be Damir Skomina from Slovenia and the two additional assistant referees, Gianluca Rocchi and Paolo Tagliavento, are from Italy. An Italian reserve assistant referee, Gianluca Cariolato, completes the refereeing team lineup. (Source: UEFA)

25 May 2013
Borussia Dortmund – Bayern Munchen
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA)
Assistant Referee 1: Renato Faverani (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Stefani (ITA)
Additional AR1: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
Additional AR2: Paolo Tagliavento (ITA)
Fourth Official: Damir Skomina (SVN)
Reserve AR: Gianluca Cariolato (ITA)
Referee Observer: David Elleray (ENG)

OFC Champions League Final 2013: O’Leary (NZL)

19 May 2013

Auckland City – Waitakere United
Referee: Peter O’Leary (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Hintz (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Ravinesh Kumar (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Norbert Hauata (TAH)

First seminar for prospective referees FIFA Women's World Cup 2015

The road to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 is gradually getting under way, both for the teams aiming to qualify and for the female referees. Potential candidates for the biggest tournament in the women's game, to be held in Canada, are meeting this week in Zurich for the first time, with 40 women from 33 different countries taking part in the week-long referees' seminar.

"This is an incredibly important seminar", Sonia Denoncourt, Head of Women's Referees at FIFA, explained to FIFA.com. "It is the first real step towards choosing candidates for the Women's World Cup 2015 in Canada. The event is two-and-a-half years away and we are starting off with a large group of female referees. We'll be testing them and then selecting the best at the end". The 40 candidates were officially welcomed by FIFA President Joseph Blatter “I would like to congratulate you on being selected for the Referees project for the World Cup in Canada in 2015”, said Blatter. “The preparations ahead of the tournament are incredibly important”. The FIFA President thanked the various referees for their work they had put in on behalf of football so far and wished them all the very best in their preparations for Canada 2015: “You dedicate a significant part of your lives to football, a game of self-discipline and respect, and one that represents a battle where fair play must reign. And you are the ones who oversee these games”. Some tough hours lie in store for the candidates. After extensive medical tests to begin with, the programme will then concentrate on fitness, training sessions, medical information, theoretical aspects, and match analysis over the following days.

Medicine, technique and fitness

"The seminar consists of three important parts, namely the medical, technical and fitness aspects", Denoncourt continued. The technical aspect is all about knowing the rules and regulations, and practical exercises and video analysis of matches will be used to train and test the women on how to use this knowledge correctly. "We have technical meetings in which we analyse games", Denoncourt added, "and we also simulate games and get the referees to make decisions". The referees also get an insight into subjects such as physical fitness and diet, as well as how to avoid injuries, all under the expert guidance of Denoncourt. "Fitness is particularly important", she stressed, "and testing it shows us a lot. We can see how well they prepare, how seriously they take it and how they deal with injuries, all of which are critical". The mental aspect is also covered with as much detail as the technical side. There is enormous pressure on the referees due to their roles and responsibilities, and devising individual strategies to develop the mental strength should help the participants to deal with challenging situations. "The main quality of a good referee is being technically adept enough to make critical decisions, and that's what we're aiming for", continued Denocourt. "Their performances are based on their ability to manage a game and make decisions, and to do this, they need to be healthy, stable and mentally well prepared. It's a complete package", she added. The candidates will have plenty of time to convince the FIFA Refereeing Department and the members of the Referees Committee of their skills before the final selection is made for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015, being held from 6 June – 5 July. Between now and then, there are three major women's football tournaments on the calendar, namely the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2014 in Costa Rica, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2014 in Canada and the Women's Youth Olympic Football Tournament, also being held in 2014, in Nanjing.

Source: FIFA

UEFA U-17 Euro Final 2013: Sidiropoulos (GRE)

Taking charge of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final on Friday, Anastasios Sidiropoulos is all set for the most "important game" of his career. The 33-year-old native of Rhodes has been refereeing for 12 years, and has been in the middle for Greek Super League games since 2009. After relishing his time in Slovakia, Sidiropoulos is hoping this is the first step on the road to UEFA Champions League, UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup finals.
- Are you looking forward to Friday's final?

- I am looking forward to kick-off. It is a great feeling knowing that in a few hours I will be the referee of the European U17 final.
- What does it mean to you to take charge of the showpiece?
- It is an honour to be selected. It feels good because you know that all the hard work you put in to get here finally pays off and you can reap the rewards.
- Tell us about the team who will be supporting you during the final.
- I will have the full support of my team, made up of assistant referees Dejan Kostadinov from Macedonia and Richard Storey from Northern Ireland, as well as my fourth official Ivaylo Stoyanov from Bulgaria. During the tournament we have had excellent cooperation on and off the field and all of them are experienced international officials, who have been officiating at the top level in their own countries.
- Is this an important step in your career?
- It is another step forward. It is definitely the most important game in my refereeing career so far, and an opportunity to prove to my mentors that I can successfully take such an important match. The fact that I am the referee for the final is not only an honour for me, but also for the Hellenic Football Federation, my family and to all the people who support me in every step of my refereeing career.
- What has it been like to be part of the refereeing team at this competition?
- It has been an excellent experience. I met people from 15 different countries and I learned a lot from my colleagues. We really had a very good team in this tournament and it is a privilege that I have had the chance to cooperate with them.
- What are your aspirations as a referee?
- My ambition is to take part in major tournaments and competitions such as the Champions League and the European finals.
- Who are your heroes, both footballing and refereeing?
- I admire skillful football players with the best sporting behaviour and respect for the game. My refereeing model is a former elite referee and now member of UEFA's Referees' Committee, Kyros Vassaras, who has taken charge of many important competitions such as the Champions League, World Cup, Euro and Olympic Games. He always helps referees and he always says his aim is to help Greek referees achieve even more than he did.
- What is your method and philosophy for refereeing games at U17 level?
- At this level you must be not only a referee but also an educator to these young players. They play with passion and they are physically strong so sometimes they overreact. This is the right time to intervene, with calmness and having good knowledge of the psychology of young players, and help them understand that football is just a game and that we have to respect each other.
- Tell us about the support which is provided by UEFA?
- I honestly cannot believe how lucky we have been with the support of the three UEFA Referees' Committee members, Kyros Vassaras, Jozef Marko and Nikolai Levnikov in this final tournament. They advise and communicate through technical instruction meetings and practical training sessions throughout the tournament, and have been invaluable and will help us for our forward development.
- How has the experience of Slovakia been?
- What an experience! It is such a beautiful country. The hospitality has been excellent end everybody has been very friendly to us all. Also, the organisation has been amazing and it is obvious that football is such a passionate sport in this country as attendances have been fantastic. (Source: UEFA) 

17 May 2013  

Italy – Russia

Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (GRE)
Assistant Referee 1: Dejan Kostadinov (MKD)
Assistant Referee 2: Richard Storey (NIR)
Fourth Official: Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL)
Referee Observer: Jozef Marko (SVK)

Ninth team shines in Slovakia

As they take their first steps on the ladder, the nurturing of the referees and assistants at the U17 finals in Slovakia is as crucial for the future of European football as that of the players. With the focus on the eight national sides at the 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, many people have missed the presence of a ninth team at the tournament in Slovakia. Though the team of referees and assistants will not be lifting a trophy come 17 May, their development on this stage is just as important for the future of European football as that of the players.

Kyros Vassaras is a member of the UEFA Referees Committee and is at the tournament to monitor and advise the young referees, who are all taking part in their first final round. "The referees can be compared to the young players in the teams", said Vassaras. "They have shown lots of potential. They are young and have been selected because of their performances so far. This is their first final tournament, so it is very important in their career development". This is no holiday for the group of officials, who are always striving to ensure the highest of physical standards. "We act like a real football team. We have training every day, we do practical exercises on the field, and all the referees are monitored by a fitness coach and his assistants", said Vassaras. And just like a football team, the referees work just as hard off the pitch as they do on it, analysing matches and past performances, while being given advice by two committee members, Jozef Marko and Nikolai Levnikov, who are acting as UEFA observers alongside the experienced observer Jan Fasung. "After the match, we analyse the situations which arose with the referee, then we have a group DVD match analysis, so everybody can learn from the other matches. We find this improves the performance". There is a clear message being communicated to the teams, and Vassaras emphasises the three core values which guide new referees. "The priority is to protect the safety of the players – from violent conduct, from serious foul play – and the second task is to protect the image of football. Things like simulation, confrontations and unsporting behaviour do not give the correct image. And the third is to protect the image of refereeing. We let the players know there will be zero tolerance to dissent, or anything that could undermine the authority of the referee". For the referees in Slovakia, this is just the first step on the way to taking charge of the biggest games on the planet, and they will be treading a well-worn path as they make their way to the top. "All the top referees started at tournaments like this", said Vassaras. "Everyone on the UEFA list. If they continue to work hard and improve, they will go from here and maybe next it will be U19 and U21 events, then eventually the Euro and the highest UEFA competitions such as the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League".

Source: UEFA

Kuipers: “Collina called me at the beach”

When Bjorn Kuipers blows his whistle to start Wednesday's 2013 UEFA Europa League final he will become the first referee to officiate at a showpiece on home turf in 22 years, since Italy's Tullio Lanese oversaw the 1991 European Champion Clubs' Cup final in Bari. The 40-year-old tells UEFA.com why it is an honour he must share with many, how well he knows the Amsterdam ArenA and how a run on a windswept Dutch beach was more enjoyable than it sounds.

- Congratulations, how does it feel to be refereeing such an important game?

- It feels good. I was very happy to get the appointment to do the Europa League final. And it's in my own country so it's great. I was very surprised because I was thinking it was not possible to have a referee from the country where the final is. But this is very special as it's in Holland, but even just doing a final is very special. I was at the beach when I got the call. I was doing some training on the coast of Holland, and Pierluigi Collina was calling me. I was very proud. I was happy for my team, happy to give them the news that we had the final. I was also thinking about the people who helped me to reach this: my coaches, the people at UEFA, the people at the Dutch FA, my team. It's been hard work, but we got some bonus.

- Could we speak a bit about Amsterdam ArenA. What do you think makes it such a special stadium?

- I know the stadium very well. I have refereed here many, many times for Ajax, and it's great. Amsterdam is a great city to have this final here. The stadium is great and it's sold out. The facilities are great so we are ready for a very nice evening.

- What does it feel like when you walk out of that tunnel onto this pitch, with the teams behind you and the crowd cheering?

- That's always a special moment. When I was a young referee, I never thought about elite refereeing – it was my hobby. So you can see how it goes, how fast you can progress. When I go out, with the teams behind me and the music playing, it's a great feeling, great.

- How do you prepare for such a big game?

- We have been preparing for a long time. It's never just about one day. If we get an appointment we clear our schedules. Last Friday we had the debriefing for the Dortmund-Real Madrid match. We brought the team together and analysed everything in our matches: what we did well, what we did not and what we can improve. We do it every match. We prepare in everything: fitness, we analyse the teams and we analyse our previous matches. It's not a one-hour job; it takes a long time to prepare for a match like this. And I always say it is not all about me. I am the referee and the end responsibility is mine, but I never act alone. I need my team, I need everyone around me. I am very happy with my team – we have performed very well over the past year.

- You were in charge of the 2011 UEFA Super Cup. Is it any different when you're walking out onto the pitch as the referee in a final as opposed to a regular game?

- Yes, of course, a final is a final. Every match is important but to handle a final is great. But I'm not officiating any differently to how I do another match: it is still a game between two teams. The referee team is the third team. We are prepared and I hope we will handle the match very well. You will see tonight.

Source: UEFA

Copa Libertadores – Round of 16 (Second Leg)

14 May 2013
Palmeiras – Tijuana

Referee: Juan Soto (VEN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Lopez (VEN)
Fourth Official: Jose Argote (VEN)
Referee Observer: Ednilson Corona (BRA)

15 May 2013
Velez Sarsfield – Newells Old Boys
Referee: Nestor Pitana (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Belatti (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Gustavo Rossi (ARG)
Fourth Official: Mauro Vigliano (ARG)
Referee Observer: Abel Gnecco (ARG)

Corinthians – Boca Juniors
Referee: Carlos Amarilla (PAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Rodney Aquino (PAR)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Caceres (PAR)
Fourth Official: Julio Quintana (PAR)
Referee Observer: Aristeu Tavares (PAR)

16 May 2013
Olimpia – Tigre
Referee: Dario Ubriaco (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Miguel Nievas (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Nicolas Taran (URU)
Fourth Official: Fernando Falce (URU)
Referee Observer: Ubaldo Aquino (URU)

Santa Fe – Gremio
Referee: Roberto Silvera (URU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mauricio Espinosa (URU)
Assistant Referee 2: Marcelo Costa (URU)
Fourth Official: Daniel Fedorczuk (URU)
Referee Observer: Otalvaro Polanco (URU)