Referees set U19 standards
Saturday, July 17, 2010
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Ahead of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, the refereeing team have been meeting with the eight sides involved to clarify the policy of the match officials throughout the finals.
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The refereeing team at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship have been meeting with the eight sides involved in the finals to clarify the policy of the match officials throughout the tournament.
The eight teams who over the next two weeks will bid to succeed Ukraine as European champions have all been addressed by a UEFA referee observer ahead of the first round of matches on Sunday, with the intention of ensuring all the players are aware of their responsibilities. "Everybody always speaks about refereeing – that's life," Michel Vautrot told the England squad at their pre-finals briefing. "You are young; our referees are new. Just like you, they're here to learn. The referee wants the same as you – to be the best. You want to get to the top of the game. So does the referee."
There then followed a presentation which explained the philosophy of the UEFA Referee Committee, entitled Referee Priorities: Protecting the Image of the Game. "We're here to find a balance," Vautrot added. "Football is for players, not referees; people pay to see the players, not the officials. Remember the referee is here to help you, not to fight you. There must be respect; the referee must respect you and you must respect the referee."
The video presentation looked at seven separate areas, with examples of each, and Vautrot explained what action the referee is instructed to take in each instance: serious foul play; elbowing; holding; simulation; dissent; confrontation; management of injured players. "The first job of the referee is to protect the players," he added.
Vautrot, who took charge of the 1988 UEFA European Championship final and the European Champion Clubs' Cup final two years earlier, finished by emphasising how significant these finals are for the players involved. "It's a great honour for you to play for your [country]," he said. "It's very important that you remember that, and that you respect your opponent, the referee and your shirt. You are for the future; never forget to work and train hard, not only with your feet but also with your head."
