"Nine minutes of stoppage time" - Collina on the plans for the World Cup referees
Created: 11/18/2022, 5:25 p.m
By: Christoph Gschossmann
Pierluigi Collina is considered one of the best referees of all time.
© Pavel Golovkin
The best referees in the world are also in focus when the World Cup begins in Qatar.
Pierlugui Collina reveals he's expecting long stoppage time.
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Pierluigi Collina announced that the referees at the finals are required to allow generous overtime.
The head of the FIFA Referees Committee said that a lot of time passes when celebrating goals, substitutions, injuries or dismissals.
“Seven, eight, nine minutes of stoppage time” are to be expected in a normal game with a few goals.
The Italian also praised the semi-automatic offside detection system used for the first time because it makes the referee's job easier.
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Collina: Female referees can be used in all games without reservations
Women are also at the whistle at the World Cup.
According to Collina, the nominated female referees can be used in all games at the World Cup in Qatar without reservations - regardless of the image of women in the respective countries.
"We see the six nominated women as FIFA officials," said the chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee in Doha on Friday.
(Match schedule for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar)
He sees the women as professionals, so they can lead all games independently and objectively, Collina emphasized when asked whether female referees could also referee games from teams from Qatar, Iran or Saudi Arabia.
"The fact that women are involved is new, and everything new creates interest," said Collina: "But for us they are referees.
I told them that they are not here because they are women, but because of their accomplishments as officials.”
Which referee will officiate the World Cup opening match between Qatar and Ecuador?
Accordingly, Stephanie Frappart from France, Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda) and Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan) can definitely count on chances.
In addition to this trio, FIFA has nominated the three assistants Neuza Back (Brazil), Karen Diaz Medina (Mexico) and Kathryn Nesbitt (USA).
It is not yet clear who will referee the opening game on Sunday (7:00 p.m. CET/ZDF and MagentaTV) between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
That will probably be announced on Saturday.
Despite Collina's assessment, it seems questionable that a woman will be used directly there.
The German referee Daniel Siebert (Berlin) completed his World Cup premiere at this final round.
The 38-year-old led three games at the European Championship last year.
(cg with dpa)
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