The Malta Football Association has various leagues which are controlled by referees of different categories. There are many who think that only the referees and assistants who officiate in the senior leagues are given organised training and lectures on the Laws of the Game.
This is not so and the Referees Board of the MFA ensures that its younger members are kept informed of decisions taken by FIFA and UEFA and on how to apply the relevant laws to particular decisions.
The Board knows that it is vitally important that these young officials come up through the ranks with a sound knowledge of the laws.
This is why a two-day seminar has just been held for the Third Class and Trainee referees and assistants who were given instructions by members of the Referees Board.
Various topics such as Reading the Game, the positioning of the referee on the field of play, the use of the diagonal system and co-operation between referees and their assistants, the all important offside and penalty laws, as well as administrative matters, were discussed.
Video clips of various incidents provided by UEFA were shown to the participants. The active role of these youngsters proved that they have a keen interest to learn and to progress further.
The Referees Board has a number of sub-committees and the Training and Schooling sub-committee is the one to look after the interests of all its members when it comes to referees achieving their best by being physically fit and by having a sound knowledge of the game.
It is not enough to know the laws if an official is unable to apply them fairly and consistently.
The MFA has now employed a second trainer for the referees. Mark Falzon is in charge of the younger referees while Euchar Grech continues to put the senior ones through their paces.
This proves that the Referees Board will leave no stone unturned in its efforts to have the highest possible achievers controlling matches right through the leagues.
Although for obvious reasons referees and assistants are split into grades, there is no difference for the MFA as to how a referee should perform on the field of play. Players in the Premier League or in an U-14 match have the right to expect a first class performance from the officials.
This is why it is important for the MFA to continue to invest in its referees. However, it must also be said that the officials expect respect from players and spectators.
The co-operation of players, club officials and supporters will certainly help our young referees improve and climb up the ladder of success.
The Board will continue in its role of expanding its refereeing base and will also strive to see their referees remain focused in achieving top grade physical fitness and sensibility in applying the laws.