Björn Kuipers will not stop as an international referee for the time being, he said at a recent press conference. The 48-year-old referee was in charge of the European Championship final between Italy and England on Sunday evening, which ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and was won by the Italians on penalties. It was assumed that it was Kuipers' last match as an international referee, but he is not there yet.
"I have also read the newspapers and the reactions, 'A very strong farewell to Kuipers' international career', but I am not there yet", said Kuipers. He says that he has always dreamed of a European and World Cup final. With the whistle for the European Championship final on Sunday evening, a dream has come true, says Kuipers. In a year and a half, the World Cup in Qatar is on the program. At a World Cup, two referees from the same country are not usually allowed to whistle, so that Kuipers could get in the way of Danny Makkelie. Kuipers was asked whether he will consider this. "I don't know yet; I'll think about it. The KNVB must support you to remain an international referee, if they want to extend your FIFA badge for a year. If the KNVB does that, you must continue to perform. When you do that, you can remain active on the international stage", said Kuipers. At the same time, he indicates that he does not yet want to make the decision for his permanent assistants Erwin Zeinstra and Sander van Roekel to stop on the international stage. "The team wants to continue, but I am not going to make the decision yet. I am not alone, so I also have to deal with my family. I have been refereeing for more than 12 years and had been away a lot; that requires a lot of time. I'm going to think about that in the coming weeks".
The KNVB announced in a statement that Kuipers, Van Roekel and Zeinstra have been appointed as national knights. "Björn Kuipers' team is a great ambassador of the KNVB and of the Dutch refereeing. Kuipers, Van Roekel and Zeinstra are an example for their fellow referees and assistant referees due to their positive attitude and behaviour, dedication and commitment", wrote the KNVB in a statement. "They show time and again that their success is the result of hard work, a lot of training and the willingness to constantly improve themselves", the KNVB statement continues. "Their success is a source of inspiration for boys and girls to start refereeing as well. Many of them see Kuipers as their great example".
Source: Voetbal Zone