Futsal... a developing refereeing sector

The rapid development of Futsal locally has made it clear that a restructuring of the refereeing sector in this sphere is necessary to ensure a wider choice of officials in the leagues.

The Referees Board of the Malta FA has embarked on a recruiting drive not only to increase the number of referees but also to have referees who are dedicated to five-a-side football. At the moment most of the officials operating in local leagues are also referees in the 11-a-side game.

The rules for Futsal are different from those of the regular game we know so well. Many football lovers call it mini football. To further prove that Futsal is completely different from 11-a-side football there are no restrictions as to the type of playing surface.

Another substantial difference from the normal game is that the number of substitutes permitted is seven and any player who has been substituted may return to the pitch later on in the game.

There are obvious differences in the size of the pitch, the markings and the fact that Futsal matches are controlled by two referees, one of whom is the senior official whose decision is final if there is any disagreement between them.

In fact, the second referee is there to help the senior referee although he also has the right to caution and send off a player and has discretionary powers to stop the game for any infringement of the Laws.

He also ensures that substitutions are carried out properly.

We also have a third referee but he sits outside the pitch together with the time-keeper.

This third referee is an administrator as he must keep record of the first five accumulated fouls committed by each team, he writes down stoppages in the game and the reason for them, takes note of the players who score goals, records the names and numbers of players cautioned or sent off and provides any information relevant to the game.

The MFA have engaged a Czech coach, Michael Stritz, to train and fine-tune the national team which has already made its debut on the international scene. We have two international Futsal referees. Ian Miller and Norman Vella have tasted the fruits of their hard work by operating within the international circle.

The refereeing sector needs to expand and this is why we are calling on persons interested in taking up the whistle, both male and female, to apply as early as possible as the Referees Board intends holding a course later this month. Further details can be obtained from Tom A. Restall on 21-222697 or tom.restall@mfa.com.mt.