Kevin Azzopardi has been confirmed as referees director for another term, the Malta FA announced.

Bjorn Vassallo, the association general secretary, told reporters yesterday that Azzopardi will continue to occupy the same role in the referees department after his position was approved by Council earlier this week.

“The Malta FA Council gave its approval for Kevin Azzopardi to continue as referees director,” Vassallo said.

“He had accepted the position on interim basis last season but now it has become official. He will lead our refereeing sector for another year, assisted by Andre Arciola and Philip Agius.”

Malta FA vice president Alex Manfre will also continue with his duties of chairman of the Referees Board.

Vassallo was speaking at the Annual Pre-Season Seminar for match referees and officials being organised by the MFA and attended by 150 officials at the Westin Dragonara Resort.

“This is the first time that all our referees and officials have been summoned together for such an important meeting in pre-season,” Vassallo said.

“We are on the eve of another hectic year and I would like to encourage all our officials to approach the new campaign with courage and determination. When mistakes happen it’s important that we all learn from them and move on.”

Azzopardi said he was honoured to be head of the referees department again. He vowed to keep working hard to ensure that the level of refereeing in our leagues continues to grow.

“Despite being a small organisation, we have achieved some great results in recent years and together with the Referees Board I will continue to look at ways how to further improve the performances of our officials,” Azzopardi said.

“We have just been notified about three other high-profile appointments. Clayton Pisani will officiate in a 2018 World Cup qualifier next month and Trustan Farrugia Cann will be in charge of a UEFA U-21 international.

“On the other hand, Esther Azzopardi will be referee in the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan next month.”

Azzopardi also announced that there will be a major novelty in Maltese football next season.

“In 2016-17 season, referees will be using the vanishing spray during league matches,” Azzopardi said.

“This implement was introduced in several top leagues before with great success and now our referees will also be able to make use of it as well.

“Besides, our referees will be donning new adidas kits that have been supplied to us by Eurosport. They have agreed to sponsor our organisation for the next three years.”

Former English referee David Elleray was a special guest during the Annual Pre-Season Meeting yesterday.

He said that regulations which will come into effect as from this season will provide a fresh challenge to match officials.

“The biggest challenge should be the new amendment dealing with fouls inside the penalty area, denying a clear scoring opportunity. A penalty has to be given but it does not necessary mean that the offending player gets dismissed right-away… a yellow card could also be shown in some in-stances,” he said.

“Personally, I believe that referees will have to make use of their common sense in each incident of this kind, making sure the right decision is taken.

“I also believe that club officials, coaches and players should study well these new rules as better knowledge of the game in general will help the referee keep more order on the pitch.

“I can only praise the Malta FA to have given me an opportunity to meet with club officials here a few days ago.

“We all discussed these new rules and the exercise was excellent and fruitful… it’s important to ensure that the right message is being passed on.”