The Referee Candidate Seminar for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 concluded in Doha on Friday with a closing ceremony which took place at the Intercontinental Hotel.
The closing ceremony was attended by Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the Referees’ Committee at FIFA, Hani Ballan, Vice Chairman of FIFA Referees’ Committee, Chairman of AFC Referees’ Committee, and Chairman of QFA Referees’ Committee, Massimo Busacca, FIFA Director of Refereeing, Neji Jouini, Executive Director of the QFA Referees Committee and Kari Seitz, FIFA’s Senior Manager of Refereeing.
The seminar was held in Doha from 12 to 16 February and witnessed the participation of 33 candidate referees representing all 6 confederations and 56 countries.
The purpose of the five-day preparatory workshop was to allow the referees to prepare as a team in the build-up to the tournament.
Candidate referees will take the opportunity during the preparation period to convince the members of the FIFA Referees Committee of their skills before the final assignments are made for France 2019, which will take place from 7 June to 7 July.
Only a limited number of match officials will be selected to officiate in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, and this will be based on their fitness, technical ability and football understanding.
The seminar prepared the referees by allowing them to undergo practical training with players, fitness testing, video tests, theoretical and practical sessions throughout the week.
The referees’ practical training with players took place at Qatar Sports Club every day throughout the seminar duration.
Theoretical sessions included lectures on improving football understanding, positioning, challenges and tactical fouls, and fitness presentations.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the Referees’ Committee at FIFA thanked the QFA for hosting the seminar in Qatar and for providing assistance to ensure the success of the seminar.
Hani Ballan, Vice Chairman of FIFA Referees’ Committee, Chairman of AFC Referees’ Committee, and Chairman of QFA Referees’ Committee said: “I am very happy to be here with you today and thank FIFA for organising this important seminar here in Doha. I wish you success in your career and hope that you benefited from the seminar as part of your preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.”
He added: “I am very happy with the FIFA’s confidence in the country’s capabilities to host this seminar and a series of FIFA seminars in Qatar this month. Throughout the week, 33 referees from all 6 confederations and 56 countries have benefited from both theoretical and practical sessions, while having the opportunity to discuss and share their experience and expertise in the refereeing world.”
When asked about the absence of Arab referees from the seminar, Ballan said it was not up to FIFA, but to the member associations that are required to organise strong championships. He said that the last World Cup in Canada did witness the participation of a Moroccan assistant referee, and hoped to see more Arab referees present during the future tournaments.
Hani Ballan, Vice Chairman of FIFA Referees’ Committee, and other officials pose with instructors on the conclusion of the seminar.
