Courtesy: Independent On Line

Recruiting referees

by Richard Stagno Navarra

The more FUTSAL develops in Malta the more referees will be needed to control matches. This five a side football as we called it has a completely different set of rules from the eleven a side game. Malta set foot on the international scene a few months ago and the game is rapidly gaining popularity.

In FUTSAL a senior referee is in charge of the match while a second referee helps him. Although they both can whistle for infringements if there is any dispute then it is the senior referee’s decision which is final. A third referee who sits outside the pitch has administrative duties such as recording the names of substitutes, the number of fouls committed and takes note of the players who score the goals.

Another official is the timekeeper. His principal duties are to ensure that the duration of the match complies with the Laws of the Game. He is also responsible for anything to do with timings such as checking the one minute time-out, stopping the clock when the ball is out of play and checks the effective time punishment period when a player has been sent off.

It is therefore obvious that the Malta Football Association needs more qualified officials to continue to control all FUTSAL matches which are played practically on a daily basis at various venues around the island.

The Referees Board of the MFA wants to set up a panel of officials separate from those who control eleven a side football. They will be totally concentrated on this game.

There is much satisfaction to be had from participating in these games. We already have two officials on the international FUTSAL panel and they have already participated in international tournaments.

A course for prospective referees for this particular brand of football is being held later this month and anyone interested, male and female, should contact Tom Restall on 21222697 or e mail tom.restall@mfa.com.mt.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com