Update your Laws of the Game

Referees should update their understanding and interpretation on the Laws of the Game regularly as much as we regularly refer back to the Al Quran to ensure our reading is still correct not disrupted by virus.
Click on FIFA Laws of the Game Trivia in the link list and find itu out by testing your current knowledge.
Happy trying!

Japanese Referee's Penalty Error

By William Gray Published: 12:01AM BST 07 Sep 2005
Fifa officials have set a precedent for over-ruling refereeing decisions after ordering Uzbekistan's World Cup qualifier against Bahrain to be replayed.
Uzbekistan won the opening leg of the Asian zone play-off 1-0 at the weekend, but they were incensed when Japanese referee Toshimitsu Yoshida disallowed an Uzbekistan penalty for an attacking player encroaching.
Rather than ordering the penalty to be re-taken, a free-kick was awarded to Bahrain, who kept within sight of a two-leg play-off in November against the fourth team from the Concacaf region.
Uzbekistan called for an investigation into the penalty incident, but they are angry the match is to be replayed in its entirety, accusing Fifa of "stealing" their slender lead.
The second leg was due to be played today, but both legs will now be played in October.

Read Article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2364919/Fifa-redress-referee-error.html

This referee was also remove from the AFC Elite FIFA Referee List and suspended from refereeing any further matches.
Read also: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-09/13/content_477504.htm

Alhamdulillah, we are blessed by Allah, the Almighty to extend our lives to meet this new year. As His humble servants, we are never silent from making mistakes, sins and bad deeds. Allah, the Almighty is always very patience with all our misdemeanors where He can punish us instantly but gave us the choice to repent and to regret from our sins and prayed to Him for forgiveness, guidance and blessing in order to lead a better life and to put in more effort to make our daily life more meaningful, away from hatred, jealousy, back-biting and all 'mujmumah' characteristics as these practices will eat away all our good deeds and prayers.
I pray to Allah, the Almighty to give us the strength and guidance in order to bring the level of refereeing in Maldives to a higher level and to reduce the mistakes and error in refereeing not to the expense of the teams. Support from all, the referees, players, team officials and administrators is utmost important to bring the dignity of refereeing to a higher level in the eyes of the public or the football community.

Kiss and Say Goodbye

Impression - you will not get a second chance to create the first impression. Respect is gained not demanded. The higher is your level of performance, the more humble you should be, not to fill your head with air or be 'taqabur' (proud) over it. Opportunity strikes once. Life is not about getting what you want but keeping what you have. Those are among phrases that I have highlighted through out this whole year. Its not about the writing nor the reading but the understanding and feeling what that had been read and getting the mind set to undergo a paradigm shift towards attaining success. Success do not come easily but I believe that these are the ingredient of success .
Achieving the height of success in refereeing is not only about getting fitter, understanding the laws of the game better, its interpretation and implementation, positioning well in play, using the cards wisely and timely nor penalising all the fouls seen.
Being a total or full person in refereeing is the strength of them all. Being respected even before we get into action or blowing the first whistle or through the word of mouth (WOM) from a player to another of our existence, our performance, our strengths and our weaknesses plays a vital role in refereeing. Hasty action and impatience often leads to wrong displacement or outcome. Being respected by our personality or presence is better that forcing others to respect us by using the cards. Identifying and penalising correctly and fairly is clear as crystal if done sincerely, fairly and trustworthy. Actions often say louder that words. What has been done cannot be undone. Willing to admit the mistake and wanting to make changes in oneself is the rational and wise decision to take.
When a referee walks out in the middle of a game due to what ever reasons (difficult players or unruly spectators), he will give the spectators a clear picture of his personality - afraid or not courageous to face problems or running from it, not sincere and lack team spirit by walking out on the team-mate and leaving them stranded when they really need to rely on his assistance, lack of responsibility in carrying duty to the fullest and cannot be depended upon in times of trouble. Can this be the potential future FIFA Match official? I guess the opportunity is being kissed and said goodbye!
Courage is a strong word and courage is the most important among the other elements in refereeing. Without courage, the ability to make strong critical decisions, the guts to take strong disciplinary action on serious misconduct among players or officials or making the right decisions at the right time will fail. It is a matter of believing on what God has created and lay out for us and accepting without questioning what ever outcome God has planned for us. Being afraid of Allah is the ultimate fear that to be afraid of other people. Thus all decisions and actions taken in refereeing should be done without fear or favour. This will then reflect the true virtue and excellence in a person.

Modified Intermittent Test for Island

There are two tests in the FIFA Physical Test.
The first test is 6 x 40 meter sprint in 6.4 seconds for National referees. FIFA Referees (6.2) and FIFA Assistant Referees (6.0). Resting time in between each repetition is 90 seconds.
If the runner fail in ONE run, he shall repeat it after the sixth run. If he failed in two or more he has failed and shall not participate in the intermittent run.

Resting time before the Intermittent Test is 7 minutes.
The Intermittent test consists of 20 runs of 150 meters in 30 seconds and walking 50 meters in 40 seconds (35 seconds for FIFA Referees). If a runner failed in two runs, he is considered to have failed in the test and must stop running.
For Island, it is difficult to carry out the test on an athletic track but the surface (sandy) of the streets is suitable to carry out the test. The area must be free from hazards or disturbances during the test.
Two cones are placed at 147 meter from each other. Another cone is placed 25 meter at each ends (as in the diagram above).
The runners (maximum 6) shall run from the blue cone to the blue cone in 30 seconds. One leg must cross the blue cone at or before whistle. He shall then walk and turn around the red cone placed 25 meters away in 40 seconds and get ready for the next repetition.
On the sound of the whistle, the runner shall run to the next blue cone.
If there are more than six runners, two groups can run at the same time at each end.
Requirement:
One timekeeper with a stopwatch and a whistle.
Two testers at each cone to see that the runners cross the blue cone.
Blue Cone (2) Red Cone (2)

Enquiry:
Amir Sharifuddin Wong,
Referees Director FAM.
amir@famaldives.com
+960 7597027

Opportunity Knocks ONCE!

FIFA PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

FIFA PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

FIFA Intermittent Test

Test begins 7 minutes after Test 1.

Runners in group (maximum 6) run from B, C, D or A.

- Runners run 150 meters run in 30 seconds

- Walk 50 meters in 40 seconds (FIFA Referees 35 seconds)

- Continue for 20 laps or 10 sets.

- If runner failed in two, did not enter the cone at least one foot, he must leave the track.

FIFA FUTSAL REFEREE FITNESS TEST

FUTSAL 4 x 10 m Shuttle Run

Runner stands at cone for standing start and runs/sprints to cone placed 10 meters away.
Maximum time is 11.0 seconds for Maldives FUTSAL Referees.

FUTSAL AGILITY TEST

Runner stands behind cone and does a flying starts - the time starts as he passed the second cone. He runs (sprints) 30 meter and side run back (10 meters), side run forwards (10 meters), backwards run (10 meters) and sprint back 20 meters.
Maximum time is 21.0 seconds for Maldives FUTSAL Referees.

Modified FIFA Intermittent Test for Island

The FIFA Physical Fitness Test consists of Test 1 - 6 x 40 m sprint and Test 2 - 20 laps Intermittent Test. This above intermittent test is modified to suit the infrastructure shortcoming in Maldives where most islands do not have a 400 meter running track.

Test 1: 6 x 40 meter sprint in 6.4 seconds with 90 seconds rest in between repetitions.

Resting time after this test is 7 minutes before the intermittent Run.

A........1.5m.......B.......................................40 m..............................................C

Procedure:

- Runner stands behind A (1.5 m from B). As they run past B the flag is flicked down and the stopwatch starts. When they reached B, the stopwatch stops.

- If runner fail in ONE test, he is given another run after the sixth run.

- If he fail TWO runs, he is disqualified or failed.

- He shall not be allowed to run the Intermitten Run.

Test 2: 20 x 150 meters run in 30 seconds and walk 50 meters in 40 seconds

Procedure:

- The Intermittent Run must begin 7 minutes after Test 1.

- Runner (max 6 runners) stands at B.

- When the whistle or DVD starts and they run to C within 30 seconds.

- At least ONE foot must cross C (Cone placed 147 meters from B)

- Runner then walk to D and around D back to C in 40 seconds

- As the whistle sound, runners will run back to B in 30 seconds.

- Then walk to A, around A and back to B.

- This is repeated for 20 repetitions/laps or 10 sets.

- If runner did not enter/reach the cone twice, he is disqualified or failed and must leave the track.

This modified version of the test is suitable to be carried out in Island where no athletic track is available.

Requirement:

a. One/Two timekeeper

b. 6 cones (test 1) and 8 cones (test 2)

c. DVD Player or an official using stopwatcha and whistle

d. Two officials/Recorder for Test 2

FA Maldives will sent an official to run the tests in the island.

All referees who wishes to register with FA Maldives must passed this FIFA Physical Test (modified). Referees can contact FAM for assistances.

Basic Referee Course in Ban' Didhoo

The FAM Referees Director personally went to a small island in the Dhaal Atoll in Central Maldives to conduct a basic referee course for the people of Bandidhoo. 10 participants successfully went through all the theory and practical sessions, including the fitness test and theory test. Although 17 signed up, 14 attended but 4 weeded themselves out as they could not follow the practical sessions. Hopefully these new referees will be instrumental to fill the lack of referees for this zone and they will of great use not only to this island but also the nearby islands and atolls. Infact, four of them expressed the desire to go Male' to register as FA Maldives referees.
All those referees in Maldives who seek to be registered for 2010 will need to fill up the form for registration, passed the FIFA Physical Fitness Test and attend the Yearly Preparatory Seminar before they are considered to be registered as FAM's referees. Only those accepted to be registered will then be accorded their referees equipments.

2010 Registration of Referees

Registration for year 2010 will be opened after 15 November 2009.
Forms will be prepared and can be taken from the front desk.

Registration will be for:
1. Football Referee
2. Futsal Referee

Requirement to be fulfilled for the registration to be accepted:
1. Passed the Physical Fitness Test
FIFA Physical Fitness Test or FIFA FUTSAL Physical Fitness Test
2. Attend Preparatory Seminar (will be invited only when passed fitness test)
3. Passed a Theory Test

Physical Fitness Test for Football Referees
a. 6 x 40 meter run (6.4 secs. National Referees, 6.2 FIFA Referees & 6.0 FIFA AR)
b. 20 x 150 meters Intermittent Run

Physical Fitness Test for FUTSAL Referees
a. 1000 meter in 4:10 secs.
b. 2 x Shuttle Run 4 x 10 meters (11.0 secs)
c. 2 x Agility Run 30 meters (21.0 secs)

Fitness Test:
a. FIFA Physical Fitness Test - 4 Dec, 11, Dec or 18 Dec 2009
b. FIFA Futsal Physical Fitness Test - 5 Dec, 12 Dec or 19 Dec 2009
All test will be held at 0615 hours at athletic track.

If you fail to prepare, be prepared to fail.

New Refs on the Block

26 locals from Male attended the football referee basic course organised by the Football Association of Maldives from the 19 Oct. - 25 Oct. 2009 at FAM House and the turf. This is an effort to increase the pool of referees in the development process. Referees Director, Amir Sharifuddin Wong managed the whole course with the assistance of former FIFA Match Official, Ahmed Abeer Ismail and current FIFA Assistant Referee, Ahmed Ameez.
All the participants were exposed to theoretical and practical sessions. The latest FIFA teaching materials were used to ensure that the knowledge, skills and experiences gathered are in line with the FUTURO objectives in creating consistency in the understanding, interpretation and implementation of the Laws of the Game through out the World. The participants were tested with theory and video test. They also had to pass the Cooper test to be considered for the certificate of qualification. All successful candidates will be expose to matches to build their skills, experiences and confidence. They will be considered for upgrading within two years by undergoing practical match performance tests. Good potential referees will be selected for the FIFA/FAM Potential Referees Course scheduled next year in July.
The Referees Director is very happy with the spirit and participation and was glad because some of the participants show great potential to be Maldives future top referees. With a larger pool of excellent referees in place, this will ensure the performance of our referees in the international level will prevails continuously.
All successful participants were presented the certificates of participation by Mr. Ahmed Naseem, FAM Executive Committee (Exco) Members.

The Future Three

November 2009 will see the opportunity of these three potential referees from Maldivesto be selected and promoted to be be Maldives FIFA MAtch Officials. Ahmed Afsah and Ismail Izhaan will attending the final stage of the assessment of AFC Project Future on the 24 - 29 November 2009 in Kuala Lumpur. Based on their their practical performances and also physical fitness, besides other factors, these two will be recommended by AFC to the Member Association for future nomination into the FIFA Match Officials list.

Another potential referee is Basil Nafees who is currently in Bangalore, India pursuing his degree is selected to attend the AFC Project Future Referee Selection Course on the 4 - 11 November 2009. This was based on his performance in the AFC U13 Festivals games in Iran early this year. If selected he will be in the latest group of AFC PF to be trained and groomed into future FIFA Match Officials. The FAM Referees Department is hoping that these youngsters will make the Republic of Maldives proud and the Dhivehi League and football will be further enhanced to greater height in the FIFA Coca-Cola Ranking.

AFC says not ready?

"AFC says not ready" - as mentioned in Maldivesoccer. Ali Adil is not ready to an AFC Elite Referee yet. This was based on his performance in the second Semi Final match - Victory versus New Radiant. For every incident that happen in our lives, there is always a blessing in disguise. When Allah closes a window He will open up many other windows. It is our duty and effort to see the signs and cues and develop ourself towards taking the right opportunity at the right time.

Failure is when we don't get up after falling. We have to accept our weaknesses, look into our strengths and see how to use our strengths to overcome the weaknesses. The Dhivehi league season has just concluded. From the matches analysis, many of the incidents, mistakes, careless mistakes and wrong decisions occurred during the last ten minutes of the game. Some of these decisions or mistakes change the results of the matches with goal allowed or disallowed. Some even resulted in the coach being sacked due to failure of the team caused by the referee's decisions and some players were also terminated their contracts.

Preparation of referees for the match is a vital factor in ensuring excellent performance in refereeing. Proper rest, mental preparation, fitness training, pregame discussion and mental strength are some of the important factors to be considered by the referee. Every match need to be treated as important. It cannot be treated as another football match as many teams have undergone strenuous training in the hot sun and it is unfair that the referee's decision jeopardized their results by making careless mistakes.

Self-evaluation is more important than the evaluation given by the referee's assessors (RA). Comment and advice from the RA if being absorbed and accepted should be put into practice to generate new skills, experiences and performance. If one's mind is closed to accepting advice and comment, the mind will nor flourish and expand towards achiving success. If one is strong with his personal ego then whatever advices will not penetrate into his mind. Thus the assessment practices by FAM on referee will be a failure. Careless mistakes in the last quarter of the match as mentioned before are due to self carelessness, complacency, poor positioning due to fitness level, fatigue and also lack of full commitment towards each game.

The Referees department feels that some senior referees are already in their 'comfort zone' and thus, are not ready to undergo paradigm shift to better themselves. Getting the younger referees to be motivated and groom into better referees is one way to create a challenge to the senior referee. Everyone should not feel that they are indispensable - cannot be replaced. It is better to have a group of young referees who are willing to change and work towards excellence rather a group of senior referee who refuses to accept any comment or advices to change. For things to change, we must first change ourself.

If a referee feel that he is too good to change than it is better for him to stay at home so that his arrogant or ego will not be threat to others that is the players, team, team officials, fellow referees and also the supporters.

Refereeing - To Gain Respect

Alhamdulillah the Wataniya Dhivehi league has ended and the top team VB Sports Club as expected regain their title. What can you expect from a team with all the top players in the country. This title comes with a heavy burden to carry our country flags in the AFC Cup next year.
To the Referees Department this has been a year of success and failure. Success because many new and young referees were tapped their potentials, and they did show their true potential by performing in their best to gain the respect of the players and supporters or at least the heart of the Referees Director. Young referees like, Basil Nafees, Ismail Izhaan, Ahmed Afsah and Ahmed Shifan have done a good job to gain the respect of the team. Perhaps with further exposure and experience, they will be developed to be better excellent referees.
Failure because some referees, even top referee did not perform to the expectation and failure also because some downsides and errors in the decisions of the referees have left the players and team management in amaze. Its a sad tragedy to be accepted for some coaches and players lost their jobs due to that. Self-evaluation and self-realization need to be done to realise one's performance and at least be considerate enough to have sympathy to others by taking effort to improve oneself in order to have a better seasons. "If one does not pity others, Allah will not have pity over him."
Respect is gained not demanded. Gaining the respect of others in the field of refereeing involve being respected by the players, coaches, team officials, FA administrators and the football fans. To achieve the highest status in refereeing is not by being a FIFA Referee and in fact the title as a "FIFA Referee" does give you the automatic recognition in the eyes of the above mentioned "customers". To be recognised as a quality referee, the referee has to first satisfy the satisfaction of the customers. The 'customers' will be satisfied if they are pleased with the decisions of the referees. They feel that fairness prevails throughout the game. To a referee - justice done must be seen to be done. Making a mistake is part and partial of the refereeing but making a mistake at the expense of the player (giving or not giving a card, giving a wrong card or making a wrong judgement) or the team (losing a match for an illegal goal or for a goal disallowed). making mistake in a game does not require a referee to balance it up by making a wrong decision the other way. A wrong penalty kick to replace a wrong penalty given earlier, a card to this side because he gave one the other side and many 'funny' decisions that are questionable.
This season sees the referees making mistake or wrong at the dying minutes of the the match or the last 10 minutes of the match. This is due to lack of concentration, carelessness and also complacency by the referees. Wrong judgement were often arises due to wrong positioning of the referees and the irony of that is that being in a wrong position is not because the referees were not taught or told where or why to stand in all situations. Fitness level, carelessness, tiredness, fatigue and lack of commitment by the referees are the few factors identified to influence the judgements and decisions of the referees. Allegation by teams officials that the referee are scared or are in favour of certain team is difficult to be accepted unless there is evidence to proof it. If it is such then it will be a tragedy to the refereeing community in this country. We do not want to believe that it is true neither do we want to see that the scenario is such. We do not want to follow like what certain countries are doing by getting foreign referees to officiate in the local league just because they don not trust their own referee any more. The local referees will then act as assistant referees only. They will be no more FIFA referees in the country.
All is not lost if we are committed and strive to do something about it. A loser will only say, "something has to be done" while a winner will say, "I must do something".
Hopefully we will begin the new season with a new image, giving yourself a chance so that the team will give yourself a chance too. The determination to do the best in each handling of the match should be the commitment of all referees. Thus, respect will be gained.

Fiesta Ramazan in Male'

22 Aug - 5 Sept - Customs Futsal Competition
(4 - 6 pm - Futsal Mini Ground)

5 Sep - 19 Sep - FAM Veteran Competition
(4.45 pm - FAM Turf)

5 Sep - 19 Sep - Time Sprint Futsal Competition
(9.00 - 11.00 pm - Futsal Mini Ground)

22 - 24 Aug, 3 - 5 Sep, 10 - 12 Sep - Wataniya Dhivehi League
10.30 pm - National Stadium

18 & 19 Sep - Coca-Cola FA Cup Semi Final
10.30 pm - National Stadium

25 & 26 Sep - 3rd & 4th Placing and Final Coca-Cola FA Cup
10.30 pm - National Stadium

AFC Referee Year in Maldives

31 August 2009 - Football Association of Maldives celebrated the AFC Referee Year with a friendly match between FAM Technical Staff versus FAM Referees.

The match was a well fought one with exchange of attacks from both teams. The match looks like that it will be a scoreless when Shah Ismail, FAM General Secretary scored the only goal five minutes from full time to put the Technical Staff winning the match 1 - 0 over the referees.

Ex FIFA match officials, Amir Sharifuddin Wong (the referee Director). Mohamed Saeed (World Cup AR) and Ahmed Abeer Ismail (FIFA AR) officiated in the match. Refreshment was given to all presents. 24 new FUTSAL Referees were also presented their certificate for having completed their basic level FUTSAL Referee course in August 2009 by former FIFA Referee - Ahmed Asim, also the member of the FAM Refereess Committee.

SHIFAN to be developed

AHMED SHIFAN ABDUL RAHEEM - another name that the Dhivehi League can look forward to. Last night (4 Sept 2009), Shifan (sippe) was given his first step into the highest Dhivehi League although in a match of no bearing to Kalhaidhoo but was important to Club Valencia who is getting ready for the play-off and also the FA Cup semi-final against VB Sports Club (19 September 2009).

The score line 5 - 1 shows that the match was not a one-sided match. His first half performance lack the show of his true potential but he was better in the second half with the fast change of attacks by both sides. Two yellow cards was shown to Kalhaidhoo's players. His good built and his personality is his strength to fall upon but he needs to use his good fitness level to carry him in order to give an impact on his existence. With further exposure and guidance, he will definitely be among one of the name to look forward to in the near future.

Another talent unfolded

"Nothing venture, nothing gain". The Referees Director decision of trying out new breed of referees was successful. Ahmed Afsah, another AFC Project Future participants was tried out for the first time in his first debut in the Wataniya Dhivehi League Division I match with AYL playing Kalhaidhoo last night (27 August 2009). Although the match ended with AYL leading 4 -0, it was not a one sided match as Kalhaidhoo, a financially troubled side gave a strong fight before going down.

Afsah, has a strong character, calm in his personality, decisive and firm in his decision with loud and clear whistling. He was mobile in his movement but need to improve in his sprints. His decisions were well accepted and this includes his cards shown. With the cooperation of players and team officials football fans can look forward to having more new young referees to take charge of the games in future with young referees like Basil Nafees, Ismail Izhaan, Ahmed Afsah and Ahmed Shifan budding into good future referees.

Football Association of Maldives will be running a new referee basic course in October (19 - 26) 2009 in Male'. The aim of this course is to recruit more young referees to act as back-up squad for the senior referees who will retiring in the future. Participation forms can be obtained at the FAM House. Only 30 participants will be registered for the course.

Izhaan first debut in Dhivehi League Division I

"Butterfly should be allowed to grow out its cocoon". The moment it spreads its wings and away it will fly and live a live of it own. AFC Project Future participant - Ismail Izhaan was given his first break in the Wataniya Dhivehi League Division One match when Victory Sports Club played Club Valencia at the National Stadium on 21st August 2009. This will a day to be remembered in his refereeing career.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step". Every one should be given the first step in handling the first task. God's willing he lived up to the Referees Director's expectation. He handled the match well with some room for improvement in minor areas. Both teams accepted his decisions and in fact most of the teams in this league are looking forward to some new breed of referees to take charge in the middle. Making and grooming of good excellent referees is not the task of the referees family alone (referee department, assessors, instructors, senior referees) but it also needs the support and cooperation of all clubs involved. Without their patience and support, by absorbing some minor errors of the referees in the learning and grooming process, the vision of getting our match officials in the international level will not succeed.

FUTURO III Referee Instructor Course

FIFA FUTURO III Referee Instructor course was held in Male', Maldives from the 14th - 19th August 2009. FIFA Referee Development Senior Manager, Fernando Tresaco Gracia personally came and supersee the course. FIFA Instructors were Masoud Enayat from Iran and Viktor Kolpakov (Kyrgstan). AFC 2007 Women Referee of the year, Tammy Ogston was also present on behalf of AFC. 17 participants from Nepal, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Iran, Sri Lanka and Maldives attended the course. FIFA latest teaching materials, DVDs, course-ware, practical sessions were imparted to the participants who also had to play their part as instructor in theory and practical lessons. They were assessed in this two elements besides the theory and video tests. FIFA aim in having uniformity in the interpretation and implementation of the Laws through out the World will be enhanced by these instructors when they play their role effectively in their countries after the course.
Amir Sharifuddin Wong,
(Local Coordinator)

Tell Me Why

Presentation by Fernando Tresaco Gracia

FIFA Refereeing Development Senior Manager, Fernando Tresaco Gracia presented this clipping in memory of a very dear friend during the FUTURO III Referee Instructors Course held in Male', Maldives. He imparted many invaluable knowledge and skills in this course to instructors in the SAFF region. His presence was a great honor and a blessing to us as we gather a lot of updated knowledge and skills from him.

FUTSAL REFEREE BASIC COURSE

Football Association of Maldives have just completed the FUTSAL Referee Basic Course held on the 28 July till 2 August 2009. 23 participants successfully completed the course. They underwent theory and practical sessions, tested on their fitness and also on identifying fouls and misconduct through video tests. The successful participants will be put to test by exposing them to refereeing in order to gain their confidence in the YDP Festival competition. They will gain their refereeing experiences when officiating the matches. Hopefully this group of new FUTSAL referees will be able to officiate in all other tournaments in Male.

Other existing referees will be given a refresher course, theory test, fitness test and also be registered as FAM FUTSAL referees if they qualified. So in future, FAM will have a different sets of referees in the normal game and the FUTSAL games. FAM is also intending to raise the standards of organising of these competitions and thus the standards of the game will also be raised. Hopefully by 2011 or 2012, referees can be nominated to be registered as FIFA FUTSAL Referees.

Ref Kids

Schoolboys Referees in the Making

20 schoolboys age, ranging from 12 to 14 years old have been roped in to attend the schoolboy's basic referee's course at FAM House starting 20 - 23 July and 28 - 30 July 2009.

The course includes theory sessions where the boys are introduced to the Laws of the Game through video clippings and practical sessions at the turf.

The course is handled by the Referees Director, Amir Sharifuddin and assisted by Ahmed Abeer Ismail and Ahmed Ameez.

The aim of this course is to produce the future referees of Maldives like the current up and coming referee, Basil Nafees, who is a product of courses of the same nature done years ago. The emphasis for this group of school boys will be to be able to acquire the assistant referee's skill so that they can keep lines during the YDP Festival in August 2009. A few may eventually be motivated to continue and pursue their career in refereeing.

A basic FUTSAL referee course is also scheduled in the evening (4.00 - 6.00 pm) for adults from the 28 July to 2 August 2009 at the FAM House and the Turf Ground. 32 participants have registered to attend this course.

Seeking Mutual Respect

Situations like this (picture) should exist in the local scenario of football. Coaches or team officials and the match officials should not have any grudge or prejudice over each other's roles and responsibilities. Referee should not think that the players and team officials are always sceptical over their decisions, unsporting or are always questioning whatever decisions made. The team officials also should not be thinking that the referees are always bias, one-sided, picking on him or his players or always too harsh on the players.
Respecting and understanding each other duties, roles and responsibilities will establish the correct frame of mind to accept each other strengths and weaknesses. Understanding that the coach has a heavy burden to bear if the team do not win or produce a good performance (as they area answerable for their results), the stress the coach is undergoing when his team is trailing, the position the coach is when he viewed the incident and the anxiety they are undergoing will put the referee in a better position to judge and decide better. Coach should know that if their player can make mistakes, the referee also has the potential to make mistake. Making mistakes is part and partial of the game but making mistakes at the expense of the team or changing the results of the match is considered as unacceptable and the match official concern shall be dealt with accordingly. Minor error or mistake in making decisions are influenced by many factors like, positioning, angle of view, recognition and interpretation of the incident, anxiety, stress and many other factor do affect the referees decisions. The fact that coaches think that the referee is on bribe or bias should not be present in the mind at all. Otherwise, any decisions made by the referee will be seen as wrong. Good decisions, actions or advantage played by the referee should be commended and received warmly. The assistant referees are in a better to judge offside or goal line decisions than the coaches who are standing in the technical area. Thus what ever decisions made should be accepted sportingly. The picture above,Coach: do you want a drink ref? Referee (smiling): No! thank you but I need you to sit down.
Referee should feel free to be able to be engaged in small conversation or exchange of word with the players or team officials but not in a sarcastic manner. Respecting each other's duties and roles and respecting each other actions will put the game at a higher level towards professionalism.

FAM Staf vs Maldives Veteran Friendly

New Radiant vs Kalhaidhoo (9 July 2009)

Referee: Basil Nafes AR 1 : Ali Saleem AR 2 : Ahmed Aslam SB : Afeef Abdul Samad

FAM Referee Refresher Course

FAM Referee Department started the referee refresher course and it will be held from the 5th till 20th July 2009. This is timely in the midst of the football season to ensure that the referees are equipped with the latest development and to remedy on weaknesses and other aspects that need to be attended to.

This will ensure that the referees' performance will be improved if not enhanced. FAM instructors, Ahmed Abeer, Mohamed Saeed, Ahmed Ummeed and the director himself will be handling the theory and practical sessions. Senior referees, our FIFA referees Ali Saleem and Assistant Referee Ahmed Ameez also will be imparting their experience and knowledge. This will help the younger referee and also senior referee to revive their motivation to give a better committed performance in the league season to come.

FUTSAL REFEREE BASIC COURSE

INTERESTED?

28 July 2009 to 2 August 2009
1600 - 1800 hrs at FAM and Turf ground

Forms are available at FAM Front Office Counter:

Kick Off - Meeru Island Resort League

4 July 2009 - Meeru Island Resort

The Inter-department football league kicked off marking the start of the 10th season of this league cater for all the employees in this resort. It also marked the birthday of the owner of this beautiful resort, Mr. Afeef.

The resort is equiped with nearly 300 rooms of various class. The sports facilities are also of a class of its own - a full size artificial turf football pitch, tennis courts, golf driving range, 9-hole pitch and putt golf range, gym, indoor games and many other entertainment. Tourists and hotel guests are assured of a memorable and exciting stay in this resort. Pic: Mohameed Fareed (referee) assisted by Ismail Izhaan (right) and Jaufar Rasheed (left).

MNDF Maldives vs MNDF Sri Langka Friendly Match

Red Card - Foul language or Gestures

The laws state that a player shall be sent off if he uses foul, insulting and abusive language or gestures. Using XXXX in certain places may be the normal culture or life style and the use of words or gesture may be acceptable to certain countries but the manner it is being spelt or shown may be interpreted in the opinion of the referee, as insulting or abusive. This, the laws demand the referee to take strong action of sending out the player concerned. Officials may also be removed from the bench if they show behaviors of irresponsibility during the match.

Can player be shown the red card during the half time interval or immediately after the match? Yes, the discretionary power of the referee permits him to show the card (yellow or red) during this period. While walking out to the changing room during half time interval or immediately after the whistle, if a player shows by word or action in a manner foul, insulting or abusing towards the opponents, match officials or any other people, he may be sent off or the misconduct be reported if the security of the referee is at stake.

History in Dhivehi League's History

2 July, 2009 - National stadium, Male'

Referee, Hasan Nashid made in his own refereeing career history in the history of Dhivehi League. He was appointed to officiate in his first Division One Wataniya Dhivehi League match between VB sports Club against Khalaidhoo which ended in a huge score line 20 - 0 with Ali Ashfaq scoring 12 goals.

This is the biggest score line in the history of Dhivehi league and the highest goal scored by a player in a single match.

Nashid was given his first debut in the highest level league because the FAM Referee Director was pleased with his performance when handled the FA Cup match between Galolhu Sports Club - Third Degree match. Although last night match did not give him the challenges to show his true potential but the director was pleased with his commitment in the whole match. The director is also happy with the development and progress of the younger junior referees and they will be given the opportunity when the time is right.

Maldives Women in FIFA Ranking

Maldivesoccer.com report:

Male’, MALDIVES – Maldives has been included in the FIFA women’s ranking after being excluded temporarily. Maldives lies at the 94th position of 98 team ranking. Maldives got the chance mostly because FIFA has excluded 16 nations from the rankings after being inactive for more than 18 months. India is one country that has been dropped for being inactive for more than 18 months. India, who were ranked as high as 50 in the last list released in March, dropped 49 places and are now out of the list that ranks teams up to 98 places.Some other countries that have been dropped for being inactive for more than 18 months include, Columbia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay and Egypt. Cuba, Jordan, Maldives, Uzbekistan and Venezuela return to the world rankings after having been temporarily excluded from the list due to their inactivity.Currently the USA leads the rankings followed by Brazil and Germany.

Women soccer in Maldives can soars to greater height with the cooperation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education and of course Football Association of Maldives. The present training program by FAM can be better enhanced through organising of competitions to enable the coaching panel to scout for more young potential talents in order to have a larger pool of girls, to train and groom into better players. Inter-schools or inter-department Futsal tournament can be organised for a start. These competitions will not only be useful to the coaches in selection but will also be a additional exposure to the present group of players to have more competitive experiences. If we dare to dream then there is the opportunity that the dream may come true!

"Spare the rod, spoil the child"

Lately, the Dhivehi league was smeared by incidents by errors of the match officials and misconduct by team officials and also the players. Although the saying goes, ‘to err is human’ but to err at the expense of others is unfair. Making mistakes as referee or assistant referee is part and partial of the game but mistakes that chages the result of the match is untolerableIt happened even in the World Cup. Misinterpretation of the Laws reflects that the referee needs to read and understand his law book again and seek the clarification of the experts. Missing a foul or incident maybe is due to wrong positioning and lack or lapse of concentration of the referee. This can be corrected by having a positive approach and be more committed to the game by always moving earlier, to be nearer to see clearer and to decide better. Missing an incident by not wanting to see the incident is untolerable. This shows the referee is not courageous to make strong critical decision – to award or disallow a goal, to give a penalty or sent off a player. These referee should stay home and hand up his whistle (retire). “If you seek to make a house near the sea-side, do not be scared of the storms and waves”. On the part of the FA, action needs to be taken and have been taken. The officials concern are either given advice on ways to have a better performance next time, sidelined to regain his confidence, rested to give him a break or punished by taking off from his duties. In Maldives, the limited number of registered active referees inhibits stronger action of suspending the match officials. Actions taken must be aimed to punish and also to teach and guide them to better one for the sake of the country’s football. This will a reality when the grassroots of younger referees are better developed and gain the experiences needed, then only the older and uncommitted ones can be weeded out or asked to retire.
What ever the consequences or bad the decisions are, it does not give the team officials or players the rights to be irresponsible in their conducts. If their conduct merits a sent off, the match official must take the strong action of sending off the person concern. The players or team officials should be 'sporting' or professional enough to accept the consequences too. Otherwise the whole system of developing the game to a more civilized, excellent and entertaining game will fail. If the match officials do not report incidents in the match, they will be suspended. Thus, players and team officials who chose to be misconduct should also be ready to face the music! Making and raising the dignity and the name of Dhivehi league and football is not an easy task, if we seek only to play but put aside the rules and regulation. Cooperation and working hand in hand of all party will ensure that 'fair play' prevails.

Sympathy at the Wrong Time - Managing Injury

Law 5 (The Referee) states that it is the duty of the referee to stop the match, if in his opinion, a player is seriously injured and ensures that he is removed from the field of play and to ensure that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return on receiving a signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped. This point is also emphasized in the latest FIFA amendment to the Laws of the game – to stop play for serious injury.
Many referee being sympathetic stopped play unnecessary and frustrating to team by stopping play when one team is at the verge of attacking the opponent’s goal. What actually is serious injury? Although the referee may escape by saying that it is “in his opinion” but common sense tells that a cramp is not a serious injury. Neither is a slight knocked to the legs, head or body, or lying down to relax for a while after being tackled or simply tired. Stopping play at the wrong time can give the coaches and players ideas to be indulged in delaying or time-wasting tactics or to disturb an attacking move. In fact some of the coaches and players are practically practicing it with the help of the referee. A player after falling down and seeing that the opponent are still attacking his own goal, stays down hoping that a foolish (sorry!) referee would help by stopping play and then restarting it with a dropped ball.
“Ball sense” and common sense has to be taken into account when judging or deciding whether the injury is serious or not. The impact when two players collided or how bad was the tackle, head collision, ‘cracking sound’ when the foul was executed, player bleeding or two players lying down half incapacitated, are some common incidents that can be classified as serious injury. If a player is slightly injured even when he is holding his ankle or knee, he should be encouraged to move out of the field of play by himself during play or after a stoppage. Team who sincerely wants the referee to encourage ‘fair play’ should support the referee’s action to have play to continue when the player is slightly injured even though he is still on the ground and not to call out angrily, especially when his team is being attacked. That is the true FAIR PLAY!

Correcting Errors in the Game

The decisiveness of the referee’s decisions depend on his visibility of the incident when it occurred, his understanding and interpretation of the laws and the incident, his nearness and his present felt, his whistling and his assertiveness and courage in his approach towards the incident. As such, often the incident seen and interpreted by the officials may differ from that of the team officials. Position of the viewer – nearness to play, in line with play (especially for offside call or ball in and out of play) and the angle of view as perceived by the match officials and team officials; are factors that differs the opinion.
At times, the referee do erred in his decisions and the communication procedures and the cooperation of the assistant referees and the fourth official permits the referee to correct his error. The laws state that the referee can reverse his decision as long as play has not been restarted. The major responsibility here is to prevent serious error from occurring. A decision once reached, announced and perhaps partially implemented will see the match officials encountering with resistance if something different eventually needs to be done.
Among the potential serious errors which the match officials should prevent are: the failure to give a red card following the issuance of a second yellow card; the display of a card to the wrong player; the display of a wrong card to a player; the failure to punish instigating behavior in addition to any retaliation; an action which is contrary to the Laws of the Game or the local rules of the competition; an incorrect determination that a goal was scored or not or violent conduct has occurred which carries the threat of further serious misconduct. Decisions on whether a foul occur or not, a goal or not cannot be reversed once the play has restarted but disciplinary actions to players can still be corrected at the nearest realizing of the error. For instant, a wrong player being cautioned, a wrong card to the player, player receiving a second caution has not been expel form the field of play, any misconduct offences occur behind the referee or has not been punished. For these errors, the attention of the referee at the earliest possible opportunity as the information may be used by the referee to recover some measure of authority through the player management strategies. It is better than never for it would a serious error to allow a player who is supposed to be expelled to continue playing. Two wrongs cannot make one right!

Modified from USSF article - team communications

Misconduct on the Bench

Misconduct in the technical area is not a matter that will only affect the image of the team official or player concern. It will directly or indirectly jeopardize the image of football in the country. Anyone officially allowed in the technical area who is not a named player or substitute (substituted player) is a team official. Thus to raise the standard and image of football in our country, all person involved directly or indirectly with football have to play their role with commitment and honesty.
Behavior that might be considered as misconduct if committed by a substitute or substituted player would include dissent, offensive, insulting or abusive language, entering the field without the permission of the referee, violent conduct, unsporting behavior or receiving a second yellow card in the same match.
Team officials must conduct themselves in a responsible manner in the technical area. If they do not, they may be expelled from the field of play and its immediate surroundings. Behavior that might be considered as irresponsible are: throwing object in protest, speaking insulting words or making offensive gestures, kicking chair, making unwanted contact with opponents, striking advertising boards, persistently and flagrantly protesting decisions by an official, interfering with the performance of assistant referee or fourth official duties, refusing to return to the technical area, entering the field without the permission of the referee.The assistant referees and fourth officials shall assist the referee in monitoring the behavior of persons in the technical area and in alerting the referee when such behavior exceeds reasonable bounds. To err is human; the FA in its capacity is trying their level best to raise the standard of refereeing to a higher level. This needs the cooperation of all concerned. It will be a tragedy to see the referee having to get the team official off the bench to the grand stand. We pray that this day will not be a reality.

Compiled base on an article from USSF.

Playing the Ball or the Legs

This familiar incident occurs regularly in all competitive matches. Referees, coaches, team officials and the spectators see it differently from various perspectives. Coaches, team officials and spectators would want the decisions made to their advantage or favour. Referees do not see it in any team favour and it is their duty to ensure that the laws are enforce fairly and correctly.

What makes the decisions correct?

The referee's judgment is influenced by these few factors: his positioning and visibility of the incident, the anticipation and expectation that the tackle would take place, his ability to visualise, to see in between the two players and the courage to decide. If the player plays the ball first and subsequently the opponent clashes or collides into his legs, the tackle will be interpreted as legitimate, clean and correct. If the player plays the opponent's legs first then the ball or the opponent's leg with the ball, the correct decision will be to penalise the tackle. This incident can be judged as kicking or tripping an opponent and is penalise by a direct free kick to the opponent or a penalty kick, if it occurs in the defending team's penalty area.

Not all fouls of this nature is sanction with a card (yellow or red). If the tackle is deem as careless (trying to play the ball, miss it and plays the opponent legs instead), no card will be shown. If the player who tackle, attempts it in a dangerous or reckless manner without taking into consideration the safety of his opponent, a yellow card is rightly shown for unsporting behavior. If the tackle denies a good attacking move, a yellow card is also shown for the same reason. Red or expulsion will be sanctioned, if the player uses excessive force and plays in a violent or aggressive manner. He is sent off for serious foul play or violent conduct.

As a guide to referee, move in to the correct position (able to see in between the players) quicker and if possible, earlier, be nearer to the incident (not too near as to blind your visibility), read the intent of the player running with the ball and the defending closing in (the defender may have a good or bad tackle and the attacker may be tackled or jumped to avoid or to deceive). The place of incident should not influence your decision but when play gets nearer to the penalty area, the greater is your attentiveness to play needed. When making the decision, have a clear mind, read the intent, interprets the seriousness and decide immediately the correct sanction (verbal, yellow or red) the moment the whistle gets into your mouth. This will not allow any other factors to interfere with your sanctions. Do it right, do it fair and do it in the best you can - this will gain you the respect of all.

Developing Future FAM FIFA Referees

Developing our future excellent FIFA referees needs the cooperation and commitment of all, all Maldivians. The referees department can only scouts and identify the talents, analyses their strength and weakness, give them the proper guidance and training of fitness and refereeing techniques beside giving them the correct frame of mind in refereeing. Develop them through exposure to matches in the lower level till the highest level in the local league. All these efforts will not reap the expected harvest without the roles of others. This definitely will need the cooperation not only from the FA, referees assessors, the senior referees, players but also the team officials and spectators.

Team officials will be part of the making of our future FIFA referees if they can be patient with the errors that may occur during their first match experience. Willing to accept if one of these youngster is appointed to officiate in their match. Accept with opened-mind without prejudice. Give their compliment openly when a good job is well-done. Refrain from criticism when minor error do occured. One such daring effort was taken when Baasil Nafees (20) took charge ot the VB Sports Club - Victory Sports Club match. Overall, he had a good game and control of the match for a first-timer except for some minor points in his refereeing techniques. All his decisions were correct when his performance was viewed. Many have had a negative opinion on this appointment but all senior referees must remember and cherish the past when they were given their first 'break' in their refereeing career! "A journey of a thousand miles begin with the first step". We hope everyone would give their cooperation, advice, guidance and morale support in the creation of our future FIFA referees, who may one day will make our Dhivehi land proud, inshaAllah.

Understanding the Offside Rule (2)

The Offside Rule is among the shortest rule in the Laws of the game. Short does not imply that it is simple. The problems faced by referees, assistant referees, players and team officials are due to its understanding, interpretation and implementation. Assistant referees interprete it as they see it and team officials interprete it the way they want to see it (normally to their advantage). If their player has a goal scoring chance or attacking move they would prefer the decision to be not offside but if it is the opponent who gets the advantage, they would want it to be ruled offside. Offside is judged at the moment the ball is played by the team-mate NOT when he recieved the ball.

Assistant referees will make mistake in the judgement if he is caught not in position or unattentive. They will also tend to make error in their judgement call when the ball was passed from a distance or a long pass. Strikers moving forward and defender moving up makes the task of judging and alertness difficult. Usually, team official sees the incident after the ball has been passed not at the moment it was passed. The position of the team officials does not give them the right to say that the assistant referee was wrong either as they are not in line to see. Only the video tape can proof what is right or wrong. Assistant referee making a wrong offside judgement in the World Cup will be asked to pack and leave the next day.

It is not an offence for a player who is in an offside position. Thus he is not immediately penalised for it. He is only penalised when he is involved in active play by playing or interfering with play, interfering with an opponent or gains and advantage from being in that offside position.

In the diagram above, the player was in an offside position when the kicked was taken. If the ball goes straight into the goal, the goal would be awarded. Here the ball was deflected from the defender to him. He gains an advantage by being in that position, thus he is rightly penalised for offside. He will also be penalised if the ball was deflected from the goal post, cross bar or even from the goalkeeper to him. He gains the advantage and should be pull for offside.

Changes to FIFA Laws of the Game 2009-2010

Technical Area

Only one person at a time is authorized to convey tactical instructions from the technical area. (amendment 2009/10)

The part of the text deleted:

(....and he must return to his position after giving these instructions)

This change should be warmly welcomed by all team officials as one official can now stand the whole match without being pestered regularly by the fourth official to sit down or move back. They are reminded that only ONE official can stand at any one time and the coach and other occupants of the technical area must behave in a responsible manner. With this change too, the duty of the fourth official is made easier. He need not go and remind the official standing to return to his position after giving instructions.

Dangerous Play - Careless or Reckless

Playing in a dangerous manner involves no physical contact between players. Playing in a dangerous manner as defined by FIFA as any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player himself). More often a player attempt to play a high ball with his legs will endanger the safety of another player - clearing or attempting to kick the ball using the "bicycle kick" or "scissors kick" are examples. If no player is nearby or put off by that attempt, play shall proceed. Otherwise, the referee shall stop play when an opponent is adversely affected, and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

Carelessness do exist in football - a player trying to play the high ball with his leg and an opponent at the same time attempt to head the ball. If there is physical contact with the opponent, the referee will rule it as a penal offence and award a direct free kick. No card is given as it is a result of carelessness.

At times, a player knowing that his opponent will play the ball still attempt to play it with his legs and resulted in physical injury to his opponent. This is a reckless attempt and shall be sanctioned with a yellow card. If the element of excessive force is involved bringing about serious injury to the opponent, the player shall then be sent off immediately.

Changing for Better Referees' Performance

"For things to change, I must first change". More often, after each match or game, comments will be shared by the assessors, "friends", peers or even your juniors and the most important 'muhasabah' (self-assessment) is yourself. A referee should always remember that "if the wind did not blow, the grasses will not sway". If there was no error in your decisions, the players, officials, assessor and even the crowd will not swear. The ability to accept and absorb comments and criticism is one factor that not many referees possessed. Only excellent referees possess or are born with it. The realising that "alhamdulullah, when I did a good game, I was lucky but could I have done it better?" If my game wasn't good enough, how could I improve on it? are questions that one should ponder upon after each match. Being egoistic, snobbish and arrogant will not see the potentiality of changes for the better in a person.
As a FIFA official, one's performance should be a step at least (if not more) ahead of other referees. If the others are performing the same or better than the FIFA referees or assistant referees, then they should take over at that level. Perhaps the system of promotion or demotion should take into consideration the overall performance of all referees and assistant referees, arranging them in their level of merit and the better be chosen for registration in the following year list without taking into consideration whether they are the existing FIFA match officials or not. This perhaps would be a 'wake-up call' to some who thinks that they are the better ones but performing below par of the rest. "Leading by example", "Modelling the role" and "do your best to be the best" are a few guides that should be taken into consideraton all the time.
Look into onself and ask what are the strength that one possessed and the weaknessess that are the threats. Find ways and means to use one's strength to overcome the weaknessess. If all referees strive to be the best in any level of game or at any time of the game, the Maldivian match officials will be among the renown officials in SAFF, AFC and even in the World level to come.

FAM YOUNG REFEREES COURSE

Football Association of Maldives (FAM) will be organising a basic refereeing course for young schoolboys who aspire to be the future Maldivians FIFA Match Officials. 30 students aged 9 to 16 will be given basic refereeing skills.

The course is on the 22 - 26 June 2009 in FAM House and the Turf ground. These young referees will be instrumental in the coming YDP Festival Football Tournament 2009

Problems in the Game (Q & A)

I would like to invite readers of this blog to try their knowledge on the Laws of the game. The answers are given at the sidebars on the right.

1. A defender clears a high ball using the 'bicycle kick'. As he was about to kick the ball, an opponent behind him attempt to head the ball. The leg strikes the opponent body instead of the ball. The referee should stop play and give a direct free kick or play on?

2. A striker moves into the penalty area with the ball. The defender tried to kick the ball but missed it and kicked the opponent instead. The referee should award a penalty kick or allow play to continue?

3. A defender tackles for the ball but before he kicked the ball, his leg tripped his opponent. Should the referee award a direct free kick or play on as the defender plays the ball?

4. An attacker took a shot at goal. The ball, however deflected from a defender who tried to stop the kick, to his team-mate who was already standing in an offside position when the shot was taken. An indirect free kick should be given for offside or allow the play to go on?

5. From a free kick near the penalty area, the ball rebound off the goalkeeper forward. An attacker who was not offside follow up the kick and kicked the ball towards goal. However his team-mate who was in an offside position ran towards the ball that was about to enter goal, touched and connected it into goal. Should a goal be awarded or a free kick against the player who was offside?

6. An attacker and a defender fell on the ground off the goal line while the ball was still in play in the penalty area. The defender striked the attacker while they were on the ground. The referee stopped play. He sent off the defender for violent conduct. He should restart play with a penalty kick, an indirect free kick or a dropped ball?