Elleray for Malta FA refs’ seminar

David R. Elleray, a former UK elite referee in the 1990s, will be the keynote speaker at a seminar for elite officials and match observers being organised by the Malta FA’s Referees Committee at the Centenary Hall, Ta’ Qali, this weekend.

Elleray retired from refereeing in 1999 but remained active within the UEFA fold, serving as match delegate, observer and instructor between 2003 and 2006 before his appointment as member of the UEFA Referees Committee.

As Elleray is responsible for Malta on the UEFA Referees Committee, he monitors the performances of the Maltese match officials in international games.

Malta presently has five referees and eight assistant referees on the FIFA panel.

The seminar, which runs from today till Sunday, is part of the Malta FA’s on-going programme to aid the development of local referees.

Sessions vary from talks on different aspects of match control to the direct involvement of the par-ticipants who will analyse the performance of match officials in tomorrow’s Premier League game between Birkirkara and Ħamrun during the course of the seminar.

Those present will also be addressed by Adrian D. Casha, the Malta FA Director of Refereeing.

Elleray’s attendance for this weekend’s seminar attests to the unrelenting work of Casha and Charles Agius who was recently appointed chairman of the MFA Referees Committee. Both Casha and Agius are FIFA and UEFA referee observers.

“Among the many initiatives introduced to raise the level and profile of Maltese refereeing, we have invited David Elleray to contribute to one of our seminars and gather first-hand information about our match officials,” Casha told The Times.

“During his stay here, Elleray will see the majority of our FIFA referees and assistant referees in action.

“His visit is co-financed by UEFA as part of their commitment to support member associations.

“We are also appreciative of the assistance we have received from the Malta Football Referees Association.”

The seminar is open to elite and Category One match officials and all match inspectors.

“This is an exciting time for refereeing in Malta,” Casha added.

“Last weekend, we took part in an exchange programme with the Northern Ireland FA.

“Next month, we will have a similar initiative with Macedonia.

“Marco Borg, Ingmar Spiteri and Alan Camilleri will take charge of a top derby in Skopje while Macedonia FA officials will control the Premier League match between Valletta and Ħamrun Spartans.

“We believe that these exchanges are beneficial not only to the referees but also Maltese football in general, especially the clubs and players who are now getting more opportunities to see overseas referees controlling local matches.”