Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca, selected for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil, felt that the quality of the Portuguese refereeing increased with the introduction of the professional referees, as recently revealed in an interview with Radio Bandeirantes in Brazil.
Pedro Proenca, who was called by FIFA to join the referees who will be in Brazil this summer, revealed in the interview: "In Portugal, the referees became professionals after last season and there was already an increase in the quality of refereeing. This is the way. In today's world such an important part of football also has to be professional". Proenca would like to see the national team of Portugal in the final of the World Cup, but, if this is not possible, he makes a wish: "It is the dream of all referees who were selected for the final phase to be at Maracana on July 13. I cannot decide, but I will do my best". On refereeing in general and future prospects, he admitted that the use of technology is inevitable for the defense of true sport. Pedro Proenca underlined that Eusebio has been a reference to the Portuguese football and his death was deeply felt by everyone. Talking about the Golden Ball won by Cristiano Ronaldo, he said that Portugal suffered a major economic crisis and this achievement raises the self-esteem of the Portuguese people.
Source: RTP