At its meeting chaired by Ángel María Villar Llona (Spain) on 24 October 2006, the FIFA Referees Committee expressed great satisfaction with the referees’ performances at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. “The referees and assistant referees fulfilled the high expectations placed on them and complied with the instructions to protect players and thus the game better,” commented Villar Llona. “The preparation period of almost four years for the World Cup in Germany paid off.”
FIFA President Joseph S Blatter, who also attended the meeting, was full of praise for the referees. “I am very satisfied with the referees’ performances at the 2006 World Cup. They achieved more than their counterparts in Korea/Japan in 2002." Blatter, nevertheless, pointed out that the referees would have to improve even further and step up their performances. There was no reason, he added, for them to rest on their laurels.
The referees and assistant referees will start training next year for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Once again, groups of three from the same country, or at least from the same confederation, will be chosen to officiate there. Trios who had rehearsed together for a long time were one of the reasons for the referees’ success at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, worldcupweb.com reported.
FIFA President Joseph S Blatter, who also attended the meeting, was full of praise for the referees. “I am very satisfied with the referees’ performances at the 2006 World Cup. They achieved more than their counterparts in Korea/Japan in 2002." Blatter, nevertheless, pointed out that the referees would have to improve even further and step up their performances. There was no reason, he added, for them to rest on their laurels.
The referees and assistant referees will start training next year for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Once again, groups of three from the same country, or at least from the same confederation, will be chosen to officiate there. Trios who had rehearsed together for a long time were one of the reasons for the referees’ success at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, worldcupweb.com reported.