The Malta FA Refereeing Centre last weekend organised the first Malta Referee Convention at the Hotel Le Meridien, St Julians.
The aim of this event is to further enhance the level of communication between the refereeing sector and the clubs, hence the theme ‘We whistle…but we want to listen!’. In his opening speech, Dr Angelo Chetcuti, the Malta FA General Secretary, said these kind of activities are important for all stakeholders as they provide the ideal platform to understand and appreciate the work of others while also giving individuals and clubs the opportunity to voice their concerns and put forward constructive suggestions. Participants received a detailed explanation about the recent amendments to the Laws of the Game by Kevin Azzopardi, the Malta FA Director of Refereeing. The amendments approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) include: • Reference to substituted players being permitted to be in the technical area • Competition rules may permit the use of an additional substitute in extra-time (even if not all permitted substitutes have been used) • Small, hand-held electronic or communication devices are permitted in the technical area if used for coaching/tactics or player welfare • The first point of contact when the ball is played/touched is the moment when offside position is judged• Biting is included as a direct free-kick and sending-off offence • Where two separate cautionable (YC) offences are committed in close proximity, both cautions (YCs) must be issued; same principle if one is a sending-off offence • Clarification that free-kicks can also be awarded for offences by a substitute, substituted or dismissed player, or a team official • A player must stand to take a throw-in (kneeling, sitting etc. not permitted) Azzopardi also highlighted the key aspects local match officials have been instructed to focus on during domestic matches. These range from proper conduct in the technical areas to being firm when dealing with aggressive behaviour, dissent and simulation. The recently-launched Data Management System (COMET) was also discussed with Malta FA Executive Kurt Formosa, who is overseeing the introduction of this project, addressing the queries raised by clubs and elaborating on the match reporting section. In his concluding address, Kevin Azzopardi stressed that match officials don’t wish to be regarded as outsiders but rather as respected members of the footballing community. “They want to feel part of this family, enjoying respect just as any other stakeholder in the local game,” he said. “There is no doubt that events like this help to strengthen such philosophy where any existing issues or misunderstandings are cleared and turned into a unified effort to raise the standard of the local game.”