Letter to the Editor-SFF working hard to improve refereeing standard |16 October 2008

We thank the author for the letter. This has given us, the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF), the opportunity to inform the public of the efforts being made on our part to improve the level of officiating here.

Since 1996 we have been utilising match commissioners for matches in divisions 1, 2, and 3. A few years ago, we introduced specially trained assessors to evaluate performances of referees and to oversee the general organisation surrounding matches.

In 2000 we engaged a full-time worker for refereeing matters within the SFF. His job includes recruiting and training referees. The initiatives of the Referee’s Committee towards development are focused on the following activities:

• Meetings every Monday for all referees where significant issues of the past week are discussed. There is also a session of physical conditioning;

• Periodical referees’ seminars during the weekends at the SFF technical centre;
• Mentoring scheme for young referees by experienced ones;

• Participation in Caf/Fifa referees’ development courses;

• Promotion/demotion and disciplinary action based on cumulative marks.

We would be greatly assisted if we were to receive images of matches from the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), but this is proving to be somewhat difficult.

To have the best instructors to work with the referees, we have been sending people for overseas training regularly. We now have six Caf instructors; three Caf/Fifa commissioners and two international referees’ assessors.

In fact, at this very moment, Lewis Madeleine and Philip Sinon are due to depart for England to attend a referee instructor’s course with the English FA.

Concrete evidence of the work done and its results is evidenced by the fact that some of the best referees in Africa come from Seychelles. Two of them are listed in the group of African elite referees.

So far this year, our officials have been called upon for international duties 10 times. We also have a crop of very promising youngsters like Eldrick Adelaide, Walter Underwood, Hansley Petrousse and many more in the making.

Referees’ errors are part and parcel of the game, but the SFF will never tolerate a situation which puts in question the integrity of one of its officials.
 
Allow me to cite a recent case in the English Championship where a goal was awarded by the officials despite the ball being more than a metre from the goal. The error was there for all to see, but in accordance with the universally accepted maxim in such matters the referee’s decision on matters of play is final. Despite the two teams agreeing to a replay, the English FA ruled that the result should stand.
 
The lesson for us to draw from this situation is that although everyone (except the officials) knew the decision was wrong, the players got on with the game.

Because of errors which all officials will make in most matches, we should not lose the big picture of officiating in Seychelles. We have to respect these people. Some of them – still teenagers – week in, week out, travel to Praslin or La Digue or go into very high-pressure matches and the only reward they expect is not to receive abuse from players or the crowd.

As the respect campaign slogan, now underway in Europe to protect officials says: “Lose Respect – Lose the Game”.

Let me assure everyone that no one is more concerned with the level of officiating than the SFF. We will constantly do whatever is necessary towards improving it.

Danny Poiret
SFF executive & chairman Referees’ Committee