Rio Olympics: FIFA Snubs Nigerian Referees For Games
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Ahead of the commencement of this summer’s Olympic Games, the Fifa Referees Committee has confirmed the appointment of 88 match officials from over 40 countries to officiate at the Olympics, with none from Nigerian.
The men’s competition will see 18 referees and 32 assistant referees officiate and at the women’s tournament, 14 referees and 24 assistant referees will be on duty. In both competitions, all six FIFA Confederations will be represented.
Among the selected officials for the competition, Africa alone claimed about four referees namely Kwimbira Bernadettar (Malawi), Camara Dhibril (Senegal), Samba El Hadji Malick (Senegal) and Ahmed Waleed (Sudan).
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According to the World football governing body, two FIFA training seminars on refereeing took place in Doha, Qatar and Miami, Florida respectively last month.
Speaking about the seminars FIFA’s Head of Refereeing Massimo Busacca said: “Our philosophy is that men and women have to work together, this is something we are certain of. The game and the decisions male and female referees have to take are the same, so it makes sense that the training of male and female referees and assistant referees should be the same too.
“FIFA’s Refereeing Team works just like the technical staff of any national football team. We are there alongside the coaches.
“During the preparation and on the pitch being able to read the game, understand football and protect the players as well as the image of football whilst insuring respect and fair play is maintained at all times, is crucial for a referee.”
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The football event will take place from August 3rd – 21st, with the competition’s men’s and women’s finals taking place in the Maracanã stadium.
Seven stadiums in total will host the competitions including 2014 Fifa World Cup host venues: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo.
