| The soccer referee is the person who is in charge of | | | | yearly physical test and an exam to test the |
| leading the soccer game, making sure the players | | | | knowledge of the rules of the referee. You need to |
| obey the rules of the game and in case of violation | | | | pass both test to qualify for advancement. |
| of the rules hands out the suited 'punishment'. Cop, | | | | Global division under the FIFA |
| judge and executioner in one... | | | | Globally the FIFA has set the rules for soccer and |
| In soccer the referee is supported by two | | | | there is a subdivision for each country handling the |
| assistant-referees located at the side of the field and | | | | rules of the FIFA and as such the rules can differ a |
| at official matches a fourth official. Sometimes there | | | | bit per country. For example the FIFA states the goal |
| is also a fifth official, for example at the world | | | | nets are obliged whereas the subdivision in Belgium |
| tournament of 2006. | | | | states this is obliged. As such the country divisions |
| Beginning Referees | | | | have the freedom to complement the rules for their |
| The age of starting referee can differ a bit per | | | | country. |
| country, but in general at the age of 12 you can take | | | | Social Referee Associations |
| the course for junior matches referee and around | | | | Each country knows one or more Referee |
| the age of 16 the course to become a referee for | | | | Associations that make sure the referees are |
| adult soccer. In most countries the beginning referee | | | | informed about the latest formal announcements and |
| will be accompanied the first matches by a more | | | | support referees in different matters. They usually |
| experienced referee or a special assigned coach. | | | | also hold gatherings with different activities to keep |
| Judging the judge | | | | the referee's knowledge of the rules fresh and in |
| Once the referee is officially allowed to conduct the | | | | proper condition. These gatherings are a great |
| soccer matches he will be judged himself by an | | | | opportunity to talk to other referees, have a great |
| officially assigned representative of the soccer | | | | time and exchange experiences. |
| federation. This person has had a special training to | | | | Soccer Referee Equipment [ |
| evaluate the referee's performance. In some | | | | Originally the referee was dressed in black, but |
| countries the referee will be informed on forehand | | | | nowadays you'll find the equipment in lots of |
| that there is a representative present, in other | | | | different colors. However what is important is that |
| countries this is done absolutely anonymous. The | | | | the referee is easily identified as being the referee |
| representative and referee are not to have any | | | | and as such his clothing can't resemble the colors of |
| personal contact. | | | | either soccer team. The clothing is available in lot's of |
| The evaluations determine if a referee may progress | | | | different brands such as nike, adidas, umbro, etc. In |
| to higher qualified matches and as such move up in | | | | professional european matches the referees wear |
| the ranks. Once you are high enough you might be | | | | adidas referee clothing. The complete referee gear |
| invited to a new referee course for the professional | | | | consist of the referee shirt with official referee |
| soccer matches. If your evaluations are negative you | | | | badge, referee shorts, referee socks, referee shoes, |
| may go down in the ranks and be forced to lower | | | | referee watch, referee tossing coin, referee cards, |
| matches. | | | | referee notebook, referee whistle and all of this gear |
| Besides this judgment the referee must take a | | | | can be of lot's of different brands. |