Potential referees for 2014 FIFA World Cup meeting in Zurich

PanARMENIAN.Net - Potential referees for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ are meeting for the first time in Zurich this week, with 52 people hailing from 46 different countries taking part in an initial referee workshop being held from 24-28 September. Having undergone medical tests over the past few days, the 52 candidates were officially welcomed by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

Blatter gave an insight into the latest changes concerning referees, including the decision to introduce goal-line technology, which will be implemented for the first time in December at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012.

The referees will be treated to a varied program designed to prepare them for their upcoming tasks and in particular for their work at the world's foremost footballing tournament, the FIFA World Cup.

This week will see the referees become attuned to the specificities of FIFA tournaments, since FIFA World Cups see teams from different countries and different cultures pitted against one another, unlike what happens in the domestic game. This will be a new sensation for those in the elite group looking to make their FIFA World Cup debuts, but an experienced team of instructors will be looking after the referees both this week and throughout the next two years on the road to Brazil.

Once this seminar is over, the next few months will focus on communication and observation. All 52 referees will officiate at FIFA tournaments in 2013 and be monitored by the FIFA Referee Team in their national confederations. A second seminar will then be held at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, before a final one the following year, FIFA.com reported.