Referees encouraged about tests to come

Protecting the players will remain the chief priority for UEFA's match officials as they enter the second half of the European club competition season.

'Massive role'
"The referees have a massive role to play," said UEFA Referees Committee member Hugh Dallas as he brought a close to the 17th UEFA Advanced Course for Elite and Premier Referees. Dallas, speaking in his capacity as an instructor to the referees, added: "I think the standard of refereeing in Europe, particularly at the top level in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup, has been particularly high this season. The consistency generally is very good and we just have to keep reminding the referees to continue to protect the players."

'Holding and pushing'
To this end, referees were reminded of their responsibility to red-card any player guilty of a "challenge involving excessive force which endangers the safety of the opponent". The Referees Committee also issued instructions to be strict with simulation and to continue taking strong action against holding, pulling and pushing in the penalty area. Dallas said: "Ten or 15 years ago, it was the tackle from behind that we were talking about – but now it is holding and pushing in the penalty area."

Player management
Earlier in the day, the referees attended a seminar on 'Top quality player management' which touched on a number of questions: dissent, confrontation, the advantage rule, managing restarts and concentration/awareness. In scenes of mass confrontation, the Referees Committee reiterated its wish that the men in the middle caution at least one player from each side, as well as punish any player who rushes to the scene from a distance. In the case of the advantage rule, the referees were asked to judge carefully whether 'playing on' would actually benefit the team in possession.

Leadership qualities
UEFA's technical director, Andy Roxburgh, told the referees of the importance of strong leadership. "At the top level, leadership qualities often make the difference," he said in a presentation that asked the question 'What can referees learn from the experience of coaches?'. Roxburgh, drawing comparison between the two, explained: "Today it is a more demanding environment and the leadership position is challenged more than ever before. Style and image is one thing but the question is whether you have the substance behind it. Substance is the will, the character, the strength to act. When you referee a match, you have the authority – but have you got the personal power, the character, the personality, the knowledge to do the role?"

Qualities
Roxburgh listed the qualities required by a referee: power responsibility, optimism communication, emotional intelligence, courage, passion, adaptability, curiosity, humility. Crucial among these is the passion needed by anyone facing the stresses and strains of a career in modern football. "Can you remain enthusiastic between two failures?" asked Roxburgh, before answering his own question: "You guys have talent – and talent rebounds."