The first mission of the referees at the World Cup in Qatar will be “to protect the players”, said the president of the refereeing commission of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Pierluigi Collina.
Collina also warned that those who commit gross violations risk “very serious disciplinary sanctions.”
- The World Cup is the most important tournament in the world. The best players are there and it would be terrible if one of them could not play because of an injury caused by an opponent – Collina explained at the press conference in Doha.
- The most important thing is to protect the players. We do not want to see any intervention that threatens the safety of the players. Otherwise, we can expect disciplinary severe sanctions, i.e. red cards – added the former Italian judge.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, only four red cards were awarded during the entire tournament.
Collina then commented on three videos to illustrate his point, with examples of late fouls, elbows, and headshots.
- It does not matter that there is no intention to injure the player. The very fact that something like this is being done is unacceptable – he said.
Collina also pointed out that simulations and excessive reactions to the referees will not be “accepted” and promised that the referees would be “very careful” regarding the actual game time.
- We want to avoid games with 42, 43, and 44 minutes of adequate playing time. The time for changes, penalties, goal celebrations, medical assistance, or VAR will have to be compensated – said Collina.
The World Cup in Qatar starts on Sunday.
(Source: Beta)
(Source: Beta)
