After Kari Seitz (USA) became the Senior Manager of the women refereeing, FIFA updated the list of prospective referees for the Women’s World Cup 2019 by removing 23 referees and adding 8 new names. Rita Gani (MAS), Abirami Naidu (SIN), Park Ji Yeong (KOR), Liang Qin (CHN), Aye Thein (MYA), Lilia Abdeljaoued (TUN), Aya Ahoua (CIV), Aissata Amegee (TGO), Marximina Bernardo (ANG), Incaf El Harkaoui (MAR), Neama Mohamed (EGY), Margaret Domka (USA), Mirian Leon (SLV), Michelle Pye (CAN), Cardella Samuels (JAM), Yercinia Correa (VEN), Regildenia Moura (BRA), Viviana Munoz (COL), Tupou Patia (COK), Cristina Dorcioman (ROU), Gyongyi Gaal (HUN), Sara Persson (SWE) were replaced by Jonesia Kabakama (TAN), Salima Mukasanga (RWA), Marie-Soleil Beaudoin (CAN), Ekaterina Koroleva (USA), Edina Alves (BRA), Jana Adamkova (CZE), Sandra Braz (POR), Monika Mularczyk (POL). All pre-selected referees, except Albon (injured), are currently attending a FIFA seminar in Portugal in preparation for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019. “We have two-and-a-half years to get ready for the Women’s World Cup,” said Kari Seitz, senior manager of the FIFA Referees' department. “Like the players, referees have to work to be at our best.” The seminar covered physical fitness tests, theoretical segments and practical sessions with local players, and the intensity and variety of the sessions provided strong examples of the increasing demands of refereeing elite-level football. “It’s crucial to have a deep knowledge of the game,” said Seitz, a former referee appeared in four editions of the Women’s World Cup from 1999 to 2011. “But complementing the mentality is the physicality. We conducted several physical tests and collected data so we can track improvements year over year. The FIFA fitness test measures speed, agility and endurance, and we also tested strength and flexibility. Everything is focused on improvement toward France.” FIFA Head of Refereeing Massimo Busacca also attended the seminar and praised the referees for their work. He gave his full support and recognised the role they play in upholding the laws of the game, protecting its integrity and most importantly ensuring safety of the players. “We are definitely on the right track. We really worked hard in this seminar. The refereeing in Canada was very good, but we need to be prepared to meet and exceed the demands of the game in France,” said Seitz. “We are convinced that with this kind of preparation, we will reduce mistakes and see good performances during the FIFA Women’s World Cup and in all other women’s competitions.” Some of the participants at the FIFA Elite Women’s Referees seminar will immediately be able to implement what they have learned during the week, with some selected to officiate games during the Algarve Cup, which will be played from 1 to 8 March. “These seminars give the match officials the opportunity to improve and to learn from others’ experiences at tournaments and bring uniformity across all the continents”, concluded Seitz. (Source: FIFA, FWWC)
AFC (reduced from 10 to 5 referees)
2. Oh Hyeon Jeong (KOR, 1988)
3. Casey Reibelt (AUS, 1988)
4. Ri Hyang Ok (PRK, 1977)
5. Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN, 1986)
CAF (reduced from 10 to 6 referees)
1. Jonesia Kabakama (TAN, 1989)
2. Gladys Lengwe (ZAM, 1978)
3. Salima Mukasanga (RWA, 1988)
4. Therese Neguel (CMR, 1981)
9. Ledya Tafesse (ETH, 1980)
6. Fatou Thioune (SEN, 1985)
CONCACAF (reduced from 9 to 7 referees)
1. Quetzalli Alvarado (MEX, 1975)
2. Marianela Araya (CRC, 1988)
3. Marie-Soleil Beaudoin (CAN, 1982)
4. Melissa Borjas (HON, 1986)
5. Carol Anne Chenard (CAN, 1977)
6. Ekaterina Koroleva (USA, 1987)
7. Lucila Venegas (MEX, 1981)
CONMEBOL (reduced from 8 to 6 referees)
1. Edina Alves (BRA, 1980)
2. Maria Carvajal (CHI, 1983)
3. Laura Fortunato (ARG, 1985)
4. Olga Miranda (PAR, 1982)
5. Silvia Reyes (PER, 1981)
6. Claudia Umpierrez (URU, 1983)
OFC (reduced from 3 to 2 referees)
1. Anna-Marie Keighley (NZL, 1982)
2. Finau Vulivuli (FIJ, 1982)
UEFA (16 referees)
1. Jana Adamkova (CZE, 1978)
2. Teodora Albon (ROU, 1977)
3. Sandra Braz (POR, 1978)
4. Stephanie Frappart (FRA, 1983)
5 Riem Hussein (GER, 1980)
6. Katalin Kulcsar (HUN, 1984)
7. Pernilla Larsson (SWE, 1976)
8. Efthalia Mitsi (GRE, 1980)
9. Kateryna Monzul (UKR, 1981)
10. Monika Mularczyk (POL, 1980)
11. Morag Pirie (SCO, 1975)
12. Anastasia Pustovoitova (RUS, 1981)
13. Esther Staubli (SUI, 1979)
14. Bibiana Steinhaus (GER, 1979)
15. Carina Vitulano (ITA, 1975)
16. Olga Zadinova (CZE, 1985)
