FlaG & Wh i s t l E Official Newletter of the BC Soccer Referees Association • Dec. 2013

BC Soccer appoints nine Referee Development Officers BC Soccer set to launch Grassroots Referee Development Program as appeared on BC Soccer website

BC Soccer is set for the January launch Art Bandenieks of referees, of their Grassroots Referee Development Lower Mailand Zone 2 • Supply timely and relevant reporting Program about the referees to BC Soccer and the with the recent appointment Dan Village Sr. of nine Referee Development Officers. Referee Committee via the Referee Lower Mailand Zone3 They are: Antonio Hurtado-Coll, Development Coordinator. Shannon Mazerreeuw, Art Bandenieks, Neil Farber The province has been divided into geo­ Dan Village Sr., Harry Sommerfeld, Thompson graphic regions. A Referee Development Ken Sookero, Terry Carter, Neil Shannon Mazereeuw Officer will be appointed to assist Head Farber, Mark McNally-Dawes. Okanagan Referees, Referee Mentors, and Referee “We are excited to have appointed Schedulers in each region. This group will these nine Referee Development Officers Terry Carter be led by and report to the Referee and look forward to launching the pro­ North Development Coordinator. gram in January,” said Jose Branco, BC Ken Sookero The learning environment of the Soccer Referee Coordinator. Kootenay Grassroots Referee Development Program “The program is designed to help create is one that is fun, challenging, and educa­ Harry Sommerfeld a solid foundation for new and established tional. These environments allow opportu­ Upper Island referees and we feel that these nine Referee nities for registered and potentially new Development Officers will do Mark McNally-Dawes referees to develop a passion and love for an incred­ible job of this by working Lower Island refereeing while being supported by their with head referees, mentors, schedulers Head Referee, Head Mentors, Schedulers and by facilitating workshops across the Grassroots Program Outline and their local club/organization. province.” BC Soccer’s Grassroots Referee The program will educate and support Within their regions, the Referee Development Program is an exciting Head Referees and Referee Mentors Development Officers will host work­ new initiative which will be launched in through theoretical and practical referee shops to help ensure consistency amongst January 2014 as per the BC Soccer education sessions along with edu­cating/ referee education, expectations and to help Strategic Plan and is designed to better training Referee Schedulers in ‘best prac­ the growth of young and aspiring refer­ meet the needs of registered and potent­ tices’ within refereeing appointing to assist ees. ially new referees at the grassroots level. in building a solid foundation for the In the coming weeks the Referee This will be done by training and sup­ development of referees across the prov­ Development Officers will be reaching porting local Head Referees, Mentors, and ince at the grassroots level. out to youth districts and member soccer Schedulers who oversee refereeing in their The Grassroots Referee Development clubs within their region to bring local area. The training and support will be done Program needs to be a shared and coop­ head referees, schedulers, and referee by Referee Development Officers. erative program at the club, district and mentors together for a seamless launch of The goal of the Grassroots Referee league levels with a proactive vision for the program in January of 2014. Development Program is; the betterment of the game. • To raise the level of competence of all Its success will be measured by the The Referee Development Officers registered referees at the grassroots level numbers of these referees who are retained and their Regions across the province, over the years and continue their personal Antonio Hurtado-Coll • Provide support and foster recruitment, development within the referee program Lower Mainland Zone 1 education, development and retention and soccer in general. Continued on Page 2 North Shore Youth Soccer Association and BCSRA partnership The F&W thanks VASRA Secretary and NS Group Liaison Iain Andrews with assistance on this article For the past three years your Referees Tuesday and Wednesday of the month NSYSA’s Head Referee for mentoring Association has embarked on a novel way from September to February (except in appointments, allowing coaching of of reaching out to assist fellow referees. December). This is in addition to the reg­ specific individuals as needs arise. Because it’s been found that many Head ular monthly meetings held by VASRA. Meetings encourage the new officials Referees need help reaching out to the • Both meetings will have the same con­ to talk and challenge what they know and referees that are under their care, a part­ tent to maximize the number of officials to help educate the others. Clips that are nership has developed with the North that can go to the education. used are generally at an amateur level Shore Youth Soccer Association content so that they can relate to what we (NSYSA) whereby the local Vancouver • VASRA members who are certified are teaching and hopefully translate the Area branch (VASRA) will assist the instructors or participating in BC knowledge into the games they do. NSYSA Head Referee. VASRA Secretary Soccer’s Candidates Program lead The meetings also allow the NSYSA to Iain Andrews has been appointed the the education sessions pass on any relevant information or issues liaison to the NSYSA Head Referee • Between 60 to 80 referees attend that are happening and solve questions VASRA helps to put on education ses­ the meetings each month that may arise from that. sions and assists in the mentoring of refer­ • Topics are based on the needs For example November’s meetings ees. In order that those referees start to be and challenges that are occurring talked about frozen fields and standing initiated into the refereeing culture, meet on local parks water on grass. fellow referees that they would not other­ All in all, the partnership is working to wise meet if left to their own devices, the • Discussions are in a group format the NSYSA’s content. The goal is to use NSYSA pays for those referees to become to allow the participants to learn the experience as a model for future members of the Referees Association. from each other and get a greater under­ growth in helping officials and getting The highlights are as follows: standing of the topic . referees indoctrinated and exposed into • Education sessions held on the last • VASRA members are scheduled by the the culture of refereeing.

Positions up Referees Committee of BC Soccer has a new Chairman for Election on In a development that occurred after committee shall be a member of the BC Vancouver Area the Flag & Whistle October issue went Soccer Board of Directors). to press, BC Soccer Director Rob Rob, a Life Member of both BC Branch Executive Brown stepped down as Chairman of Soccer and the Fraser Valley Area provincial governing body’s Referees branch (FVSRA) of your Referees (Food to be served at VASRA Committee. Taking his place is fellow Association cited personal reasons for AGM on January 27th) BC Soccer Director John Reed from stepping down. Rob will still participate The positions of 1st Vice-President, Prince George (BC Soccer rules govern­ on the BC Soccer Board and on another Treasurer and one Director position are up for grabs at the Vancouver ing committees dictate the chair of each committee he is part of. Area branch (VASRA) Annual General Meeting. Referee Development Program Continued from Page 1 The meeting will be held on Monday, January 27th inside the The Grassroots Development Officers Head Referee South Burnaby Metro Club room of will be trained by BC Soccer who will A Head Referee is an experienced the Bonsor Community Center. then reach out to the Head Referees, referee who provides oversight to the Meeting start time is 7:00 pm. Mentors and Referee Schedulers within referee program within a club/district At the November monthly meeting their assigned region to start setting the environment. The primary objective is to of VASRA it was also announced schedule for the required workshops. work with referee to support a successful that an assortment of snacks and These workshops will be designed to transition from the classroom to the field beverages would be made available help the foundation and framework for of play. after the meeting to all members the future development of Head Referees, Mentor Referee attending. The Nominating Com­ Mentors and Schedulers who work with A Mentor Referee is an experienced mittee is comprised of: the current referees and potential new referee who provides guidance, by way of Elvio Chies ([email protected]), referees at the grassroots level in their on-field support and feedback to a target­ Joe Ciresi ([email protected]) region/club. The content will include: ed group of referees, normally within a Ron Schaeffer (schaeffer.ron.d@ • Present updated referee club / district specific environment in col­ gmail.com training material, laboration with the Head Referee. Referee Scheduler / Assigner Those interested in running for a • Introduce fundamental A Referee Scheduler/Assigner works in position should contact any member refereeing skills, collaboration with the Head and Mentor of the Nominating Committee. • Provide small-sided referee training Referee to ensure appropriate referees are and support. assigned to matches.

2 Fl a g & Wh i s t l e – December 2013 issue 2014 AGM Date to coincide with John Meachin Fund Whitecaps Home Game The member associations of the CSRA have given the mandate to the CSRA but not Provincial Cup Executive to look at ways of expanding the use of the John Meachin Fund. In a After double-checking the date of the for Whitecaps games. Also, because last teleconference held in November, member 2014 Adult Provincial Cup Finals, to be year’s AGM coincided with the finals of association reps agreed to the expanded held May 10/11, 2014, and with the release Adult Provincial Cup in Victoria, shutting use of the fund, subject to the blessing of of the 2014 MLS schedule, the provincial out Vancouver Island-affiliated members, the Fund’s founder, Viriginia Meachin, executive of your Referees Association the executive of the Vancouver Island branch widow of the late CSRA President, and has announced the date of the the 2014 of your Referees Association (VISRA) has former FIFA Referee. Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be been offered their preference of dates as Member associations were due to give held again in conjunction with a Vancouver they have the farthest to travel. their ideas to the Executive. A teleconfer­ Whitecaps home match. The Whitecaps’ opponent will be the ence has been tentatively scheduled for For the fourth year in a row, members San Jose Earthquakes (May 3rd) and mid-January for further discussion. will be able to literally mix business with Seattle Sounders (May 24th). pleasure by going to the meeting before­ Group tickets will once again be pur­ Fundraising Idea pursued hand and also purchasing a group ticket at chased. The cost of tickets start at $25 for Members should be aware that a vehicle a discounted price. the San Jose match and $30 for the Seattle will be announced to help raise funds for Tentatively, two dates are penciled in game (actual prices are $26 and $31 but the annual Dan Kulai-Jack Tinnion for review: Saturday, May 3rd and the provincial executive has agreed in Memorial Scholarship. Saturday, May 24th. Again, neither day favour of subsidizing ticket purchases to Although members’ fees support the falls of the date of the 2014 Adult round off the price for easier handling). issuing of the scholarship, there is a wish Provincial Cup Final or the Victoria Day People interested in participating should to provide more than the one scholarship long weekend. contact Elvio Chies given out each year. The goal is to create A final determination will be made in email: [email protected] a contingency fund to be used to help January after the TV schedule is released Tel: (604) 266-0741. cover the difference.

Interim Chair for BCSRA DAN KULAI-JACK TINNION SCHOLARHIP NEWS Members should be aware that Vice-President Bill McNaughton CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS will be the interim chair for the With the coming of the new year, the To ensure potential recipients are immediate future while President call for submissions to the next offer­ actually taking part in the culture of Nick Hawley is away in ing of the Dan Kulai-Jack Tinnion refereeing, points area awarded for to attend to details due to the death Memorial Scholarship will commence certain areas including, but limited to of his father. again. or solely a prerequisite, membership in Nick should arrive back by mid- The scholarship, pegged at $1000 the BCSRA and/or participation in the January. Our condolences to Nick and given out annually as part of BC Soccer Candidates program. on the passing of his father. the BC Soccer Scholarship and Awards Prospective recipients should con­ Cele­bration, is open to all referees sider the following BCSRA specific who aim for post-secondary school criteria when completing your Fl a G & Wh i s t l E is published 6 times education. Scholarship. a year by the BC Soccer Referees Application Form Association. The material presented is from contributors. The BCSRA • Working to progress in refereeing assumes no responsibility for its content. • Refereeing Experience; how many years refereeing? In what role - CR or AR? • Contribution to Refereeing Community (ie mentoring, assigning, instructing Editor Elvio Chies SSG, organising referee awards etc.) Staff Writer Tom Babic • Effort to self-improve (ie number of hours of education attended including Research Emil Udovich candidates program, BCSRA meetings etc.) Mynor Campos • Level of professionalism applied to refereeing Lay-out Dieter Freundt • Reference letter from Club Head Referee; (please ensure one of your three Letters to the editor are welcome reference letters is from your Club Head Referee) and should be directed by email to: • Evidence of good Communication • Special qualities shown in the application, not covered above [email protected] or [email protected] An application form must be submitted to the BC Soccer office by March 31st or by mail to: BC Soccer Referees Association in order to be eligible. The form can be downloaded from this link: c/o 8130 Selkirk Street www.bcsoccer.net/files/MemberService/Scholarships/2012-2013BCSoccer Vancouver, BC, V6P 4H7 ScholarshipApplication_Feb2013.pdf

December 2013 issue – Fl a g & Wh i s t l e 3 Know 2013 U-18 Nationals in Newfoundland a Member’s Report Your Ed note: Chris Wattam was appointed welcoming of those of us from outside the to this year’s U-18 Nationals. Here he province and you could immediately feel a Fellow gives us a synopsis of his experience on sense of camaraderie and feel comfortable “The Rock.” taking the field with them. In addition, I This past summer I had the privilege of had the opportunity to meet and work with Member being nominated by BC Soccer to join the referees from Manitoba, and National Referee Program. Quebec, some of which were also nomi­ Name: Chris Wattam As part of the nomination process, I was nated, while others were already on the Residence: Vancouver, BC appointed to the U18 National Cham­ National and FIFA lists. # Years Refereeing: 14 Years pionships in St. John’s/Mt. Pearl, NL this Overall, I was appointed as referee or What made you take up refereeing? past October. assistant referee to eight games over the I stopped playing soccer in high school Having never previously travelled to six-day tournament, including both the but still wanted to stay involved in the Newfoundland I felt very fortunate to boys’ and girls’ finals on the last day. game. A former coach thought I might have been given the opportunity to not The girls’ final was especially fun since want to give it a try. only participate in a national champion­ the team representing Newfoundland had What’s your most memorable moment ship, but to travel to a part of the country I made it into the match. so far in refereeing? had never experienced. Even though it was the Thanksgiving Attending the Dallas Cup in 2008 and While at the tournament, I had the holiday and that morning was especially being appointed to the U16 final. I worked opportunity to meet officials from across cold, close to a thousand people must have the match with referees from the US and the country. Many were from the local come out to cheer on their local team. Japan. area, and it was a comfort to see that the In the end, I came away from the expe­ What advice would you give to someone refereeing community was as tight-knit rience with many pleasant memories and I starting to referee? and supportive in St. John’s as I have look forward to the next time I have the Control the things you can control, and experienced here in Vancouver. privilege of working with referees from don’t worry about the rest. Not only that, they were all extremely across the country.

CSL accepts Membership in newly formed Soccer Federation of Canada Source: Off the Pitch Forum. (SFC) Offers opportunity for first entry professional soccer The has The CSL First Division is considered in play first level women’s professional soc­ accepted membership in the newly-formed Canada’s professional pyramid the next cer and considers a Canadian women’s Soccer Federation of Canada (SFC) and level below the top flight FC, professional league long overdue. The as a first step after removing itself from Montreal Impact and Vancouver CSL will now structure such a league and the Canadian Soccer Association­ and Whitecaps of will be making an announcement in the provincial soccer jurisdiction is prepared (MLS) and FC Edmonton of the North near future. to make it easier for teams and new groups American Soccer League (NASL). Both At a recent league meeting, CSL club to step into professional soccer for the of these leagues are U.S.-based. owners agreed the Canadian Soccer first time. A newly structured CSL Second The new Second Division will provide League should be a founding member of Div­ision will provide an environment a member team with the opportunity to the newly-formed Soccer Federation of with ready-achievable semi-professional develop infrastructure, the team’s player Canada (SFC), which provides private standards in which teams will have an base and also develop a close relationship soccer entities, leagues and clubs in opport­unity to experience first entry pro with the immediate community – includ­ Canada with the necessary guidance and soccer while playing in a highly competi­ ing the local soccer community. The CSL services needed to grow and develop tive environment. The CSL Second team can be a focal point in the commu­ within the Canadian soccer community. Division was earlier approved for reserve nity for the development of young players SFC members will draw on the federa­ teams only. considering an eventual higher level pro­ tion for the appropriate administration of The CSL intends to introduce promotion fessional soccer career in North America players, non-playing personnel, including and relegation between its two main div- or overseas. coaches, match officials and various isions, a system rarely used in North America. The CSL will continue with its highly peripheral needs such as insurance. The Also, for new teams that apply for CSL First successful Reserve Division, which will SFC will also provide non-intrusive over­ Division entry, they will have the option of drop down to a third level for an antici­ sight while encouraging its member playing their initial year in the Second pated three divisions in 2014. leagues and clubs to be independently Division, a first step that allows clubs to The CSL for some years has been disap­ structured for local conditions within an become accustomed to the disciplines and pointed by the number of Canadian wom­ affordable business plan. rigors of professional soccer. en’s teams entering the United States to Continued on Page 5

4 Fl a g & Wh i s t l e –December 2013 issue From Communist Romania to MLS Cup Canadian referee ’s interesting journey By Nick Sabetti, Goal.com Goal spoke with Canadian and MLS referee Silviu Petrescu Kitchener-Waterloo one day and stumbled upon one of Petrescu’s on his life in soccer. He recently reached FIFA’s mandatory retire­ assignments. “What are you doing here?" Camacho asked ment age. Amidst the boisterous atmosphere inside Rogers Centre Petrescu after the game, puzzled at how a referee of his calibre in Toronto, Silviu Petrescu’s excitement might not have been was officiating at such a low level. palpable, but November’s international friendly match between Petrescu explained his situation. Brazil and Chile was not an ordinary one for the veteran Canadian “I said, look Tony, I came here from Romania and I don’t know referee. anybody.” Petrescu recalled. “And I told him that I wanted to In October, Petrescu reached the mandatory retirement age of move up. He said okay and then I started to do the classes and 45 for FIFA referees, meaning that the sprightly South American different tournaments and moved my way up.” contest – which ended 2-1 in favour of Brazil – would be With the help of his new-found friend, Petrescu earned his Petrescu’s last on the international stage. It was the culmination referee badges once more and, in 2002, became a FIFA Pro ref­ of a long journey that began in Petrescu’s native Romania 27 eree, fulfilling the pledge he had made to his father. “He was so years ago. proud when I told him that I made it,” Petrescu said. “He couldn’t Tough choices believe it.” When Petrescu was 18 he had a decision to make. Juggling Petrescu knows that had he stayed in Romania he could have between professional soccer and refereeing, he arrived at a point become a FIFA referee much earlier, but he has no regrets over where he simply could no longer continue to do both. his decision to leave. “I came to Canada for a better life for my “I started playing in one of the lower divisions, but as I was family,” Petrescu said. also moving up as a referee, I couldn’t referee and play in the Petrescu is now one of ten full-time referees in Major League same division, so I had to decide what I wanted to do,” Petrescu Soccer. He joined the league with three other Canadians in told Goal. Toronto FC’s expansion year in 2007. In 2012, Petrescu was Helping him weigh the pros and cons of both choices, one named MLS Referee of the Year and was awarded the MLS Cup night, Petrescu’s father, Radu, who himself was a professional final between the LA Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo, which referee in Romania’s top flight, suggested that Silviu become a was also David Beckham’s last game in the league. referee as well, given the longer lifespan of the profession (a On the international stage, the 2010 and 2014 World Cup referee could officiate well into his 40s, whereas players rarely qualifying matches provided Petrescu’s with some of his fondest ever continued past 35). memories. Brazil’s 2-0 loss to Mexico in June 2012 in front of Petrescu followed up on his father’s advice. 84,516 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas was another special “After we spoke - that was my moment; I just knew I had to occasion. quit playing and start refereeing,” Petrescu said. “And it turned Then of course, there was his last international game in Toronto out to be a good move.” two weeks ago. “It was a great game, a great atmosphere, a great Under the guidance of his father, Petrescu flourished as a ref­ experience,” Petrescu said. “I really enjoyed every moment.” eree. By 26, he became the youngest referee in Romania’s first Though Petrescu will no longer be able to referee international division. The Romanian FA had quickly taken notice of Petrescu’s matches, he can still work games in MLS and hopes to be able to talent. A bright future seemed assured. do so for a few more years, provided that his body is still up for But that was 1995, six years after the Romanian Revolution it. which saw the overthrow of Nicolae Ceauçescu and his This winter, Petrescu will be attending courses to become a Communist Party. Though a democracy had been subsequently FIFA referee instructor for when his on-field days are over. He formed, Romania’s economy, with soaring inflation and rampant wants to be able to give back what he received. unemployment, drastically deteriorated in the fallout of the com­ “When I finish I want to pull all of my experience in helping munist collapse. younger referees,” Petrescu said. “Because somebody helped me, Given the economic despondency of the country at the time, and I know what it means.” Petrescu decided that it would be best for him and his family to pack up and leave. “I was okay with my refereeing career,” Petrescu explained. “But I was thinking about me and my wife Canadian Soccer League Continued from Page 4 and the future, and if I have a kid, and grow a family, is this where I want to be living? Vincent Ursini, chairman of the board and president of the “At the time [the economy] was only getting worse and worse CSL told an enthusiastic meeting of team owners: “This begins a and I knew that that was the time to leave the country.” A year new era for the Canadian Soccer League and for semi-profession­ later, he left for Canada. His sister, who had already immigrated al soccer in Canada and we are excited at the prospect of working there, was waiting for him in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. within the framework of the SFC, to do our part to strengthen Moving to a new country would, however, mean having to start soccer in Canada and provide many players with a higher level over again from nothing, but before leaving Romania, Petrescu opportunity in which to play and further develop - an opportunity made a promise to his father: that he would still one day become they may not otherwise get,” he said. a FIFA referee. Applications, together with policies and procedures for the new Living the dream CSL Second Division will be available as of Monday, December In Canada, Petrescu’s referee credentials were no longer valid. 9, 2013. Interested teams and newly formed groups should con­ Driving taxicabs and refereeing local amateur soccer games tact the CSL for further information at: became his new routine. Fortunately for him, Tony Camacho, 905 564-2297 (toll free 1 888 216-9913) one of Canada’s FIFA referees at the time, was passing through or email to [email protected]

December 2013 issue – Fl a g & Wh i s t l e 5 MLS Corner Peter Walton sets sights on further improvement Source: PRO (as appeared on usrefereeconnection.com) PRO General Manager Peter Walton first game – it only seems a matter of days the world leaders of officials by 2022. believes the MLS Cup 2013 lived up to from that moment, to the MLS Cup in a That’s always been our mandate and that’s expectations and has praised the assigned very cold Kansas City. While we can sit what we’ll continue to work towards. PRO match offi­ “In terms of specifics, the past year was cials. always going to be difficult for us all, S p o r t i n g because it was the inaugural year – the Kansas City out­ first year of truly professional referees. scored Real Salt “That’s with regards to their discipline Lake 7-6 in the for training, the number of matches to longest penalty which they were assigned, the travel shootout in MLS arrangements, and their family life. playoff history to “An aim of mine was to look at the lift the Cup, after perception of the officials from outside of the teams drew our own group of people. It was important 1-1 in over 120 to see that the view in the media and in the minutes of public’s eye was beginning to change in action. our favor. It was a thril­ “I don’t have the data yet to prove that, ling match at Sporting Park and Walton and bask in the success of the Cup for but what I do have is the gut feeling that felt referee Hilario Grajeda, ARs Bill a day or two, we have to progress next when I talk to fans, to coaches, and to Dittmar and Paul Scott, 4th official season. We cannot afford to think that other people connected to soccer, they and alternative assistant because we’ve had a reasonably success­ have noticed the change for the better in Baboucarr Jallow, represented the ful year in terms of our development and the referees and assistant referees that are Organization well. exposure, accumulating in a terrific Cup officiating our games. Walton told proreferees.com: “On the final, that’s it.” “The more we improve, the more our domestic scene, the MLS Cup is the big­ “The objective was to always fit in with stakeholders want us to improve; that’s gest game in North American soccer, and our mission statement and vision – to be in got to be the target for next year.” this season I think the Cup stood up to the pedestal that it’s put on.“Our officials who were assigned to the match made every­ body in the Professional Referee Grajeda named MLS Referee of the Year Organization proud, with the game man­ Source: PRO (as appeared on usrefereeconnection.com) agement that they adopted. Their perfor­ mance reflects well on us all. Major League Soccer has announced voted third. “The two teams that competed were Hilario Grajeda as the MLS Referee of Quisenberry who has been on the FIFA probably the teams who deserved to be the year for 2013, with Kermit panel since 1994, picked up the AR title there through their record, and our team of Quisenberry receiving the Assistant for the second time in his career having officials were the team who deserved to be Referee award. won the inaugural award there because of their performances dur­ Grajeda made his MLS in 2008. ing the season. officiating debut in 2004 The 45-year-old was an “The exciting MLS Cup marked the end and picks up the accolade assistant on 18 occasions of the first full season of the Professional for the first time in his this season in what was his Referee Organization and Walton admit­ career after a busy season. 19th MLS campaign. Frank ted the inaugural year had flown by. The 46-year-old officiated Anderson came second, Reflecting on what he knew was going to the MLS All Stars vs. AS while Bill Dittmar was be a difficult campaign, the General Roma match in August and had been third. PRO General Manager, Peter Manager insisted things are moving in the assigned as the CR for December’s MLS Walton, said: “While this is a great right direction for PRO and the officials of Cup between Sporting Kansas City and achievement and honor for the two indi­ North American soccer.And he was quick Real Salt Lake. vidual officials to be recognized by the to turn his attention to next year, when The showpiece game was Grajeda’s MLS in such a way, I would also like to further improvement will be the target. 24th in 2013. Ismail Elfath was second, recognize the great efforts and perfor­ “When I look back to the game I attend­ while Baldomero Toledo, who has ref- mances of all PRO’s officials throughout a ed in March in a very hot Houston –- the ereed 23 MLS matches this season, was very pleasing season.

6 Fl a g & Wh i s t l e – December 2013 issue Many Fans don’t understand the Laws of the Game By JASON DEVOS, tsn.ca

Week 12 of the Barclays Premier What makes a referee’s job more diffi­ ranged from “That’s never a PK – referees League was full of controversial referee­ cult, though, is that the vast majority of always let that go!” to “The ball was ing decisions. From Wes Brown’s sending fans (and even some professional players, behind Mertesacker – need to take that off for Sunderland to Kevin Mirallas’ yel­ coaches and analysts!) do not fully under­ into account!” to “Glad to see a referee low card for Everton in the Merseyside stand the laws of the game. finally call that - happens all the time!” derby, it wasn’t a comfortable weekend to Case in point: Arsenal’s penalty kick in Regardless of your opinion as a fan of be a referee. their game against Southampton. the beautiful game, the FIFA Laws of the Whenever an incident happens on the After a Tomas Rosicky corner kick was Game are very clear on what constitutes a field, every fan expects the referee to delivered into Southampton’s penalty foul, and in particular, a direct free kick. make the correct decision. Yet referees do area, referee blew his The Laws of the Game are very clear. not have the benefit of slow-motion instant whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. Pulling a jersey (holding an opponent) is replays, and have only their assistant ref­ His reason was that Southampton defend­ not allowed and is punishable with a erees with whom they can consult for er Jose Fonte pulled the jersey of Arsenal’s direct free kick, or a penalty kick if the input. Often times, the referee’s view of Per Mertesacker. offence occurs within the penalty area. an incident is not ideal, and can be blocked Replays showed that Fonte did indeed Mark Clattenburg was absolutely spot on by other players. Yet they are expected to have a handful of Mertesacker’s jersey, to call a penalty in Arsenal’s favour. get decisions correct every time. that he impeded the German international Fans (as well as players, coaches and With the benefit of instant replays, it is from reaching the ball. Clattenburg was anyone else who watches the game) would often much easier to make those decisions. absolutely correct to award a penalty do well to familiarize themselves with Should Wes Brown have been sent off for kick. FIFA’s Laws of the Game. Some of your Sunderland? No. Should Kevin Mirallas Yet it didn’t stop the inevitable outcry preconceived ideas about how the game is have been red carded for his horrible on Twitter. officiated might actually turn out to be tackle on Luis Suarez? Absolutely. Fans voiced their opinions, which completely false.

Female Official to referee in FA Cup BBC Sport (Ed note: the F&W would like to thank match between Nottingham Forest and resident FA Cup expert and RA Member Coventry City. Eric Diver for bringing this story to our History making Women Officials attention). in England On Saturday 09 November 2013 Amy • 1976: Pat Dunn becomes first woman Fearn, a 35 year old mother of two from to referee a competitive fixture in the Staffordshire, became the first women to County Sunday league. take charge of a match in the First Round • 1995/6: Wendy Toms is first woman The Official Match Ball Proper of the F.A.-CUP at Steel Park, Assistant Referee in a www.usrefereeconnection.com home of Corby Town as they faced game. The adidas brazuca, the Official Match Dover Athletic. • 2000: Toms is appointed Assistant Ball for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Fearn had already written her name into Referee for the League Cup Final. Brazil™, was given a fittingly spectacular the record books 3 years ago when she • 2004 Fearn is appointed first Woman launch on Tuesday 3 December. became first woman to take charge of a Referee to the Conference (one Division The iconic Parque Lage in Rio de Football League game, when she stepped below League Two) Janeiro provided a picturesque venue, up from Senior Assistant Referee, to • 2012: Sian Massey is Assistant Referee while a breathtaking 3D light projection replace the injured Tony Bates with 19 for the F.A. Trophy Final (top knock out show wowed attendees including former minutes remaining in the Championship Cup for Non League sides). Netherlands international Clarence Seedorf and Brazil great Cafu. The brazuca, which means ‘Brazilian’ Wedding Ring destroyed ith Pliers and refers to the Brazilian way of life, is the most-tested adidas ball in history. It From Huffingtonpost.com Aug 31,2013 was, over a two-and-a-half-year period, Something tells us the referee at dangerous and cause injuries. But wed­ tried out by over 600 of the world’s top this soccer game in Venezuela is not a ding rings can be particularly difficult to players or former players including Iker romantic. take off, especially those that have stayed Casillas, Dani Alves, Lionel Messi, In a video posted to YouTube , the ref­ on the same finger for years. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Zinedine eree orders midfielder Rolando Escobar Referees typically allow players to Zidane, and 30 teams in ten countries to remove his wedding band with a pair of cover the ring with tape instead, according across three continents. The brazuca was pliers after attempts to slide it off his fin­ to Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland. But it also used at a selection of international ger proved futile. looks like this one was a real stickler! football matches, albeit with a different Wearing jewelry is against the rules in We can’t help but wonder how Escobar’s design, including a friendly between many contact sports because it can be wife feels about this. Sweden and Argentina last February.

December 2013 issue – Fl a g & Wh i s t l e 7 UEFA Women’s U-17 Euro Final 2013: Persson (SWE) From UEFA as appeared on refereeingworld.com The UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship has provided an important daily learning curve for the match officials working at the final tournament in England. Sara Persson is an international football referee and a mother of two – two very different roles which, as she recalls with a smile, once came together with amusing consequences. “There was one time I was angry with my son Lucas, who was five at the time. I sent him upstairs and the next thing he appeared with my whistle and he showed me a red card,” she says with a smile. Fortunately Persson has had no need to use that red card at the UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship, a tourna­ ment where the respect from the young players involved has been commendable and where UEFA’s refereeing team have had the opportunity to gain some invaluable experience. “Being in a final tournament is a big difference,” says Persson, whose highest level matches to date had come in qualifying rounds for both the UEFA about it,” suggests Abildgaard. “In women’s matches sometimes Women’s Champions League and UEFA women’s under-age they remember the whole match if you make a small mistake.” tournaments. And do male players treat a woman referee differently? “For me “In the qualification rounds it is important but this is more I think I have some goodwill being a female,” she adds, “but then intense,” adds the 37-year-old. “My colleagues and the games again maybe I have the opposite when I have females!” have been really good. My last game was Scotland-France and One particular highlight of their stay was a surprise visit to the they are really technical these girls – they are tough and fast. I am referees’ hotel by , the English referee. “What a really satisfied, also because it’s gone really well in terms of good surprise – it was a very big moment,” adds Abildgaard. respect from the players.” Happily for all three women, one more big moment awaits on Persson, an animal welfare officer from Gothenburg, is speak­ Sunday. ing at the refereeing team’s base camp for the tournament in Ed note: On 8 December 2013 Sara was the referee for the Derby, a short distance from St George’s Park where the eight UEFA U17 Women’s match between Germany vs Spain. She competing squads have been based. officiated the match with fellow colleagues Assistant Referee 1: A total of 16 match officials came to England for the tourna­ Mathilde Abildgaard (DEN), Assistant Referee 2: Katalin ment – six referees, eight assistant and two fourth officials – and Torok (HUN). The Fourth Official was Ana Minic (SRB). Persson is one of two referees granted the honour of taking charge of a game on the last day of this tournament, either the final or play-off for third place. Also on duty on Sunday will be assistant referee Mathilde Abildgaard from Denmark. The 26-year-old from Copenhagen­ Rosetti resigned postponed the completion of her MA thesis to be here and is delighted she did. Having attended a UEFA Centre of Refereeing As appeared on refereeingworld.com Excellence course earlier this year, this has been another crucial Former top Italian referee Roberto Rosetti has resigned as step in her development. “We have been lucky to have very expe­ head of the Russian referees department citing family reasons, the rienced observers,” says Abildgaard, whose father Bo has served domestic football union (RFU) president said on Tuesday. as a FIFA-standard assistant referee. Rosetti, who was named best referee in Serie A four times in a “They have tried to teach us and give us good advice we can row between 2006 and 2009 and officiated the Euro 2008 final take into our next matches. We’ve also been lucky to be in good between Spain and Germany, was hired by the RFU in 2011 in a teams, reflecting together on how to do even better in the next bid to improve refereeing standards in Russia. “We received a matches. That has really helped me.” request from Roberto Rosetti to release him from his post due to For Katalin Török, another of the assistant referees staying family reasons,” RFU’s president Nikolai Tolstykh told report­ until Sunday, working together with match officials from other ers. His contract was due in 2015. countries – with “different personalities, different styles” – has Rosetti, who retired after the 2010 World Cup finals in South been central to the learning experience. “Once we see the appoint­ Africa, expressed his special thanks to the Russian soccer author­ ments we have time to prepare with our referee – we have pre- ities and all the referees in a statement, published on the RFU’s match discussion before the game so it is easier,” explains the web site. “I chose Russia because I wanted to do something com­ Budapest-based economist, 28. “We receive the same guidelines pletely new, I was looking for a new challenge after officiating for from the observers so it helps a lot to really look like a team and 27 years in Italy,” the 46-year-old said. “My mission is accom­ work as a team on the pitch.” plished and my family also needs me at this moment. The referee­ What all three women have in common is they officiate both ing has improved during my stay. The Russian officials are on the men’s and women’s matches back at home. “Back home I do right track and I’m sure they’ll have a great future". most men’s games and some of the top matches of the women’s Last year, Rosetti said that the officiating level at the matches league – three games for men and then one women,” Persson of the Russian Premier League was unsatisfactory and the entire explains. refereeing system in Russia needs a radical overhaul. “There are This leads to an insightful discussion on the difference between only 3,000 professional referees in the huge country of Russia,” refereeing men and women. “If you argue with a woman she will Rosetti said. remember for a long time; with men you’ll just fight and forget Continued on Page 9

8 Fl a g & Wh i s t l e – December 2013 issue Female Referee quitting Kids’ Football Dec 2013 14:34 Daily Mirror The qualified coach and mum-of-three is hanging up her whistle at the end of the season after parents have even spat at her. By Laura Woodcock

(Ed Note: we thank member Phil Brown for bringing this story to our attention.

Evening Gazette A female referee says she’s been forced to quit due to the "horrendous" abuse she gets from parents at matches. Mum-of-three Andrea Ruddy is hang­ ing up her whistle at the end of the season after parents have even spat at her. Andrea, a qualified football coach for the Durham FA, has officiated at more than 100 children’s football matches in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance. But she told the Evening Gazette: “I have had enough. I have had verbal abuse, have had linesman flags thrown at me and even been spat at. “A couple of weeks ago I also had to be escorted to my car because of it. Up until this season I have really enjoyed the job but I can’t take anymore – why should I?" said Andrea, who lives in Oxbridge. and continued to play – playing regimental Durham FA, said: "It is very disappointing • The abuse I get is horrendous and it football. And after taking a break follow­ that it has come to this situation. happens at just about every match. ing the birth of her three boys, Andrea “If given an opportunity, we would like • It comes from the parents and managers found her passion for the game once to try to address it.” when they think a decision I have made is again. Last month Lineker, who is the Three the wrong one. Two years ago she decided to train to Lions’ all-time leading scorer with 48 • It happens in front of the kids and it become a qualified coach. goals, said the angry approach from mums then rubs off on them. They think they can “Parents should realise the referee is and dads on the sidelines of children’s do it too. there for the 22 kids who enjoy playing games are adversely affecting their devel­ • What I have witnessed this season has and not for them,” she said. “People don’t opment. In an interview with New been nothing short of disgraceful.” realise what the ref goes through. It is hard Statesman magazine, the Match of the Day It comes after Gary Lineker called for enough to find referees as it is. Something presenter said: “The fear they instil in our an end to the “utterly depressing" behav­ needs to be done about this. promising but sensitive Johnny is utterly iour of overly aggressive parents on the “The issues needs highlighting - people depressing. touch-line of kids matches. need to be aware it goes on. It is bullying “There is a breed of parent I have seen Andrea got into football at an early age at the end of the day.” who hurl ridiculous abuse at officials or and spent most of her time kicking a ball Andrea added: “I will be sad to say even the young player they are meant to be around with her big brother and his mates. goodbye because I have enjoyed it but I supporting. The competitive nature of most And when she wasn’t kicking a football, just feel enough is enough now. For me, it mums and dads is astounding. It’s as if she was watching it. isn’t worth it any more.” they are living their own dreams through When she was 20, she joined the Army John Topping, company secretary for their kids.”

Rosetti Founding Member passing Continued from Page 8 “It’s too few. Russia needs much, much more referees to have Upon notification of the Calgary District SRA (CDSRA), a variety of the officials to choose from in every division.” it is with regret the CSRA announces the death of Andrew Rosetti added that Italy’s refereeing corps counted more than Ungar. He passed away suddenly at his home on December 32,000 officials, while England had a choice of 38,000 referees. 7th. Andrew was a founder of the CDSRA in its inception in He said that the referees in Russia were under constant pressure 1983. Although retired from refereeing, Andrew was still with almost every official’s mistake in the match of the Premier active within the CDSRA and even attended the associations League becoming the cause of a serious scandal. Advanced Referee Training (ART) class on November 23rd. In a statement, CDSRA President Laurie Hastings said, “His “There are too few referees in Russia, it’s a fact,” Rosetti said. passion for refereeing and educational improvement of refer­ “Besides, the officials here are humiliated after the slightest mis­ ees is part of our DNA and he will be missed.” take. It’s absolutely impossible that a child would dream to become a referee here in Russia.”

December 2013 issue – Fl a g & Wh i s t l e 9