Football: Referees receive Fifa badges |08 January 2014

Local football referees and assistants received their international Fifa (Fédération internationale de Football Association) badges on Monday, enabling them to officiate in international matches for the year 2014.

Among the 10 match officials, four are referees and six assistant referee assistants. Bernard Camille, Emile Fred, Allister Barra and newcomer Nelson Emile are the four referees, while Hensley Petrousse, Jean Ernesta, Eldrick Adelaide, Gilbert Lista, Steve Marie and Gerard Pool are the six assistant referees.

Nelson Emile and Gerard Pool are first-time Fifa officials and will be making their debut on the international stage this year.

According to Danny Poiret, the chairman of the refereeing committee within the Seychelles Football Federation, Seychelles must have at least 10 officials registered with Fifa every year and this year they have replaced two officials who are past the age limit to be a Fifa referee with two younger ones.

Referees have an age limit of no more the 45 years old to be registered with Fifa and they have to pass a fitness test each year in order to receive their badges.

It was also revealed at the short ceremony at the Maison Football that referee Bernard Camille will leave the country to officiate at the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan) which will be held in South Africa from January 11 to February 1.

Libya was originally chosen to host the tournament, but due to political issues in the country the Confederation of African Football (Caf) asked South Africa to host the tournament instead.

Also present at the event at the Maison Football was Christopher Hoareau representing Hunt, Deltel and DHL – the companies that sponsor local referees and assistant referees.

S. N.