IFAB approved both GLT and AAR

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) convened today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich for a Special Meeting regarding the goal-line technology, additional assistant referees and headscarves.

The first item on the agenda was goal-line technology (GLT). Following the conclusion of a nine-month test process that began in August 2011, led by EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology), the IFAB unanimously decided to approve in principle both companies that took part in Test Phase 2: GoalRef and Hawk-Eye. This approval is subject to a final installation test at each stadium before the systems can be used in “real” football matches, in accordance with the FIFA Quality Programme for GLT. The IFAB was keen to stress that technology will only be utilised for the goal line and for no other areas of the game.Revisions to the wording of specific Laws of the Game will now consequently be made, relating to: Law 1 (The Field of Play); Law 2 (The Ball); Law 5 (The Referee); and Law 10 (The Method of Scoring).
The second decision of the IFAB concerned additional assistant referees (AAR) following a two-year experiment in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and EURO 2012, as well as the AFC President’s Cup and competitions in Brazil, France, Morocco and Qatar. Following a presentation by the AAR Experiment Coordinator, Donald McVicar, the IFAB again unanimously agreed that the use of two additional assistant referees be approved, acknowledging the support they can provide in officiating football matches. As a result of this decision, an amendment will be made to the Laws of the Game, with a separate section concerning additional assistant referees. It was also approved that communication equipment be permitted between match officials in the Laws of the Game.
The third main topic for discussion concerned Law 4 – The Players’ Equipment, and specifically the “headscarf”. The IFAB agreed to unanimously approve – temporarily, during a trial period – the wearing of headscarves. The design, colour and material permitted will be defined and confirmed following the IFAB Annual Business Meeting in Glasgow in October. Currently there is no medical literature concerning injuries as a result of wearing a headscarf, and therefore the decision taken today will be reviewed at the IFAB Annual General Meeting in 2014.
In other matters, the IFAB confirmed that the Annual Business Meeting will further discuss the issue of “triple punishment”, currently detailed in Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct; Sending-off Offences), and also agreed to discuss further how the IFAB can improve consultation with the game.
The decisions concerning the Laws of the Game taken today by the IFAB regarding GLT and AAR will come into effect immediately.

Source: FIFA

Copa Libertadores Final 2012 (Second Leg)

4 July 2012

Corinthians Sao Paulo – Boca Juniors

Referee: Wilmar Roldan (COL, photo)
Assistant Referee1: Abraham Gonzalez (COL)
Assistant Referee 2: Humberto Clavijo (COL)
Fourth Official: Jose Buitrago (COL)

UEFA U-19 Euro 2012 – Group Stage (Matches 1-4)

3 July 2012
Estonia – Portugal

Referee: Kenn Hansen (DEN, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Yves De Neve (BEL)
Assistant Referee 2: Marco Tropeano (LUX)
Fourth Official: Danny Makkelie (NED)

Greece – Spain
Referee: Vadims Direktorenko (LVA)
Assistant Referee 1: Dmitry Zhuk (BLR)
Assistant Referee 2: Ivo Kolev (BUL)
Fourth Official: Paolo Valeri (ITA)

England – Croatia
Referee: Alain Bieri (SUI)
Assistant Referee 1: Johann Gudmundsson (ISL)
Assistant Referee 2: Anatolie Bodean (MDA)
Fourth Official: Eiko Saar (EST)

Serbia – France
Referee: Arnold Hunter (NIR)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Aleksei Lebedev (RUS)
Fourth Official: Kristo Tohver (EST)

Proenca prepared for career peak

"I have finally reached my peak as a referee," Portuguese referee Pedro Proença told UEFA.com as prepares to take charge of the UEFA Euro 2012 final at the Olympic Stadiuim in Kyiv. Portuguese referee Pedro Proença will set the seal on a memorable season when he takes charge of his fourth and most important fixture, at UEFA Euro 2012 in Kyiv tonight. The 41-year-old also officiated the UEFA Champions League final on Munich on 19 May and told UEFA.com that being awarded the final at the Olympic Stadium is not only a privilege and an honour, but the peak of his career.

- Being awarded the UEFA Euro 2012 final must be very special for you?
- Yes, it's an honour to have this chance and to be invited. For any referee this would be one of the best moments of his career and I really feel privileged to have been asked, both for me and my team. It's a sign of acknowledgement of the work we have done at this tournament so it brings us happiness that has to be shared with the two finalists.

- How does it feel having been awarded the UEFA Champions League final and the UEFA Euro 2012 final?

- This means I have finally reached my peak as a referee. Several factors were involved in me getting here at my age and reaching the top level. I feel really satisfied and privileged so tomorrow I will try to honour the job, make the most of it and share the happiness with my colleagues.
- You have refereed a lot of these players before. Does that help you?
- Luckily, I have met a lot of the players over the years during UEFA competitions and, of course, football has a universal language. The behaviour of people of latin heritage is a bit different and we have a body language that makes us understand each other. I understand players' behaviour and the players understand the referee's behaviour. From this point of view it will be a bit easier for me.
- What does it mean for a Portuguese man to referee the final?
- At the moment we represent the quality of Portuguese refereeing and I hope tomorrow we prove it on the pitch. It shows the work we Portuguese have been doing all this time. I feel satisfied and I know this feeling is shared by every Portuguese referee. I will represent Portugal tomorrow.
- Can you explain a little bit about what you need from your assistants?
- The referee is just the face of a team and I couldn't do anything if I didn't have these fantastic men with me. They're the ones who, at the end of the day, give me support and the confidence to decide what's best. Tomorrow is a prize which will be shared by many people, but most of all, by the people who will be with me on the pitch, these four fantastic men.
- What are your thoughts on UEFA Euro 2012 so far?
- It has been fantastic. I really want to highlight the behaviour of every athlete and every player. They have shown extraordinary fair play. This shows the respect they have for the fans, the crowd and the people who watched them on TV. Unity and respect, which I think people deserve, was conveyed by players.

Source: UEFA

UEFA Euro Final 2012: Proenca (POR)

Pedro Proenca of Portugal has been selected to referee the UEFA Euro 2012 final between Italy and Spain at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv on Sunday (kick-off 20:45 CET). The appointment completes a memorable end to the season for the financial director from Pinhal Novo, who oversaw last month's UEFA Champions League showpiece in Munich, where Chelsea FC defeated Bayern Munchen on penalties. Sunday's fixture will be the 41-year-old's fourth of the tournament, having taken charge of two group stage matches – Spain's 4-0 victory against the Republic of Ireland on 14 June and Sweden's 2-0 defeat of France five days later – as well as the England-Italy quarter-final in the Ukrainian capital.
Pedro Proenca Oliveira will be assisted by countrymen Bertino Cunha Miranda and Ricardo Ferreira Santos, with Manuel Moreira De Sousa and Duarte Pereira Gomes acting as additional assistant referees. The fourth official will be Cuneyt Cakir and the reserve assistant referee Bahattin Duran, both from Turkey.
Proenca has been on the rise in European refereeing circles since handling the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final in 2004. Promoted to UEFA's Elite category at the start of 2009/10, he was in the middle for four games in that season's UEFA Champions League, five in the 2010/11 edition and six this term, culminating in the Fussball Arena Munchen decider on 19 May 2012.

1 July 2012
Spain – Italy

Referee: Pedro Proenca (POR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Bertino Miranda (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Ricardo Santos (POR)
Additional AR 1: Manuel De Sousa (POR)
Additional AR 2: Duarte Gomes (POR)
Fourth Official: Cuneyt Cakir (TUR)
Reserve AR: Bahattin Duran (TUR)
Referee Observer: David Elleray (ENG)

CONCACAF Elite Referees Course 2012

Fifty of CONCACAF's top on-field officials will gather in Florida on Wednesday for the confederation's elite men's referee course, an annual event this year geared to further preparation for upcoming World Cup qualifying and Champions League matches. The four-day combine involving 25 referees and 25 assistant referees will include a fitness test, classroom instruction, as well as technical field sessions at the Kics Sports Complex in Fort Lauderdale (USA). FIFA instructors and former referees Peter Prendergast of Jamaica, Rodolfo Sibrian of El Salvador and Esse Baharmast of the United States will conduct the course with FIFA's head of referee Massimo Busacca and the world body's senior manager of referee development Fernando Tresaco also in attendance. The course will conclude Saturday night with Jamaican referee Kevin Morrison and assistants Ricardo Morgan of Jamaica and Dion Neil of Trinidad - all course participants - officiating the North American Soccer League (NASL) game between the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and RailHawks at Lockhart Stadium. "Our annual elite referee course is a fantastic opportunity to bring the best of the best in CONCACAF together”, said CONCACAF Director of Referee Administration, Brian Hall. "Under the guidance of FIFA's brightest instructors, our referees and assistant referees will have the opportunity to sharpen their technical skills. Additionally, since we will be conducting the FIFA fitness test, we will ensure that all referees are in top-class physical condition".

CONCACAF Elite Referees

1. David Gantar (CAN)
2. Walter Quesada (CRC)
3. Hugo Cruz (CRC)
4. Jeffrey Solis (CRC)
5. Marcos Brea (CUB)
6. David Betancourt (CUB)
7. Joel Aguilar (SLV, photo)
8. Elmer Bonilla (SLV)
9. Marlon Mejia (SLV)
10. Walter Lopez (GUA)
11. Oscar Reyna (GUA)
12. Hector Rodriguez (HON)
13. Raul Castro (HON)
14. Jose Pineda (HON)
15. Courtney Campbell (JAM)
16. Kevin Morrison (JAM)
17. Marco Rodriguez (MEX)
18. Roberto Garcia (MEX)
19. Francisco Chacon (MEX)
20. Roberto Moreno (PAN)
21. Jafeth Perea (PAN)
22. Javier Santos (PUR)
23. Enrico Wijngaarde (SUR)
24. Mark Geiger (USA)
25. Jair Marrufo (USA)

CONCACAF Elite Assistant Referees

1. Joe Fletcher (CAN)
2. Philippe Briere (CAN)
3. Leonel Leal (CRC)
4. Roberto Jara (CRC)
5. Warner Castro (CRC)
6. William Torres (SLV)
7. Juan Zumba (SLV)
8. Gerson Lopez (GUA)
9. Ronaldo De La Cruz (GUA)
10. Dion Inniss (GUY)
11. Juan Rodas (HON)
12. Oscar Velasquez (HON)
13. Ricardo Morgan (JAM)
14. Alberto Morin (MEX)
15. Marvin Torrentera (MEX)
16. Jose Camargo (MEX)
17. Marcos Quintero (MEX)
18. Juan Rangel (MEX)
19. Keytzel Corrales (NCA)
20. Daniel Williamson (PAN)
21. Ramon Louisville (SUR)
22. Dion Neil (TRI)
23. Charles Morgante (USA)
24. Eric Boria (USA)
25. Mark Hurd (USA)

Copa Libertadores Final 2012 (First Leg)

27 June 2012

Boca Juniors – Corinthians Sao Paulo
Referee: Enrique Osses (CHI, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Francisco Mondria (CHI)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Astroza (CHI)
Fourth Official: Patricio Polic (CHI)

UEFA Euro 2012 – Semi-finals

27 June 2012
Spain – Portugal
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (TUR, photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Bahattin Duran (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tarik Ongun (TUR)
Additional AR 1: Huseyin Gocek (TUR)
Additional AR 2: Bulent Yildirim (TUR)
Fourth Official: Damir Skomina (SVN)
Reserve AR: Primoz Arhar (SVN)
Referee Observer: Jozef Marko (SVK)

28 June 2012
Germany – Italy
Referee: Stephane Lannoy (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Frederic Cano (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Annonier (FRA)
Additional AR 1: Fredy Fautrel (FRA)
Additional AR 2: Ruddy Buquet (FRA)
Fourth Official: Howard Webb (ENG)
Reserve AR: Michael Mullarkey (ENG)
Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas (SCO)

UEFA U-19 Euro 2012

Estonia, 3-15 July 2012

Referees
1. Alain Bieri (SUI, 1979)
2. Vadims Direktorenko (LVA, 1981)
3. Kenn Hansen (DEN, 1980)
4. Arnold Hunter (NIR, 1979)
5. Danny Makkelie (NED, 1983, photo)
6. Paolo Valeri (ITA, 1978)

Assistant Referees
1. Anatolie Bodean (MDA, 1974)
2. Yves De Neve (BEL, 1975)
3. Johann Gudmundsson (ISL, 1978)
4. Ivo Kolev (BUL, 1979)
5. Aleksei Lebedev (RUS, 1980)
6. Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL, 1978)
7. Marco Tropeano (LUX, 1974)
8. Dmitry Zhuk (BLR, 1986)

Fourth Officials
1. Kristo Tohver (EST, 1981)
2. Eiko Saar (EST, 1978)

Referee Observers
1. Jozef Marko (SVK)
2. Juan Fernandez Marin (ESP)
3. Are Habicht (EST)
4. Uno Tutk (EST)

Kassai: “We stand together as a team”

After his early return from Euro 2012, Viktor Kassai took part in a press conference at the Hungarian FA headquarters in Budapest. He was joined in the discussions by former FIFA World Cup referees Karoly Palotai and Sandor Puhl.

Former Olympic champion and three times (1974, 1978, 1982) World Cup referee Karoly Palotai emphasized that Viktor Kassai and his team, aside from the considerable media interest in underlying fault, superbly led their matches at Euro 2012; however, the error is always possible and belongs to the referees’ work. According to Palotai, UEFA and FIFA will not forget Kassai’s excellent results in recent years and the error from England – Ukraine will not affect his career in the long run. Palotai remembered that, many years ago, he wrongly disallowed a goal at the end of a Hungarian derby Gyor – Ferencvaros and that error played a major role in making him the World Cup referee he became later.

Sandor Puhl, who refereed the 1994 FIFA World Cup final, Italy – Brazil, and was voted four times the world's best referee, said that there will always be errors in refereeing. “First, it should be clear that a serious human mistake happened, which should not have been. However, under high pressure, it was a very difficult task to judge that the ball crossed the goal line by a few centimetres in a fraction of a second. Lessons should be learned, to move forward and build on from what happened. I cannot remember a single match without any errors. There will be errors as long as the human factor plays a role in football, and they must be accepted”, said Puhl, who demonstrated how difficult it was for the additional assistant referee Istvan Vad to judge whether the ball entirely crossed the goal line after a shot from the Ukrainians.

Viktor Kassai specified that, according to UEFA policies, he cannot discuss specific match situations, but readily responded to general questions. “After the match, we watched the video, analyzed the situation and immediately realized that we made mistakes. We tried to find the cause, but according to the requirements of UEFA, the referee's own decisions cannot be made public. It was very unfortunate that a single erroneous judgement was fatal for us, after we performed very well in 99% of the match. Every referee on the field of play has to judge live situation, in a fraction of a second, with centimetres to be decided, without having different camera angles and replay images”, said the world’s best referee in 2011. “We have no reason to hide, as long as we also made other very good decisions. My refereeing team was composed of the best officials; my colleagues have demonstrated their qualifications many times over the last few years and many times it happened that their help saved me an error. We bear the consequences together, as well as the successes, and we must move over together. It is all about the trust. If we have another match tomorrow, I will accept my assistants without any doubt and will accept their decisions in similar situations. All members of our team were fully prepared and I consider them the best in the business. There is no doubt that the error was not good for us, but we cannot stay long on the floor; new tasks await us, and we, as professionals, must continue our work”, underlined Kassai. “Since 2007, we got important appointments every year: the U-20 World Cup, the 2008 Olympic Games final, the U-17 World Cup semi-final, the 2010 World Cup semi-final, the 2011 UEFA Champions League final and the big match Spain – Italy at Euro 2012. We built ourselves a very good reputation in the international football, but that also brought higher expectations from us. Unfortunately, as it happens with the teams, there are defeats. We are extremely disappointed and very affected by this issue. However, it should be remembered that our team also achieved success and we should stand together as a team. I can hardly bear what happened, because we know that many people trust us. What has happened is something that we cannot change. It was an erroneous judgment that had ended the European Championship for us, as it was considered as a big mistake. However, I am sure that that all members of our team will build their strength from this failure and next season we can again prove that people can trust us as referees”, said Viktor Kassai.

Source: MLSZ