The Algerian referee team headed by Mohamed Benouza will miss the upcoming World Cup after one of the assistants failed the fitness test. Previously the Paraguayan referee team has had to withdraw due to an assistant failing the test.
Fifa has in tournaments after the 2002 World Cup operated with referee teams instead of individual referees and assistants. This has been done to limit error and promote teamwork within the referee team. The referee teams selected for the upcoming World Cup have worked together for the last three years.
Martín Vázquez from Uruguay has been announced as replacement for the Paraguayan team. Fifa will not call in a replacement for the Algerian trio.
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I totally agree with the FIFA’s policy regarding refereeing trios, but I do not understand why they invited Vasquez’s trio, which was not on the final list, instead of promoting a trio from among the reserves? By the way, is it officially confirmed that there will be 24 referees plus 6 (now 5) reserves?
I read an interview with one of the assistant referees of Martin Hansson, and he said there would be only four reserves.
With FIFA’s policy we will be looking for good referees. Mohamed Benouza is one of them but the big holliday of the planet will miss him. Just as 2006 with Mejuto Gonzalez and Kyros Vassaras who missed the WC after failing one of their assistants. Shame.
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