I admit to NOT having searched the FIFA site for any info during the World Cup. Has anyone read or heard anything about who is working with the referees in terms of instruction, match feedback, etc? When Esse Baharmast left US Soccer, we were told he had taken some sort of FIFA position to train referees for the World Cup. Since then, I have not heard or read a single piece of information about it. All of a sudden, it occurred to me again so I thought I'd ask about it here.
Esse is at the WC as one of a few Fifa instructors. Garcia-Aranda is Fifa's Director/Head of Refereeing (as he has been since 2003), so he is in charge of all instructions and training at the World Cup.
What could possibly go wrong here? Based on his track record in developing and training Pro and International Officials for US Soccer over the previous decade, we should have perfect refereeing in this World Cup, just like we did in MLS... NOT!
Frankly MLS, not USSF, is responsible for some/most of its own problems through the rules of competition and points of emphasis with which they saddle the refs. I understand your sentiment, but I think MLS is a "Let the boys play" league by the league's choice, not the federation. That would make it NOT Esse's fault.
Who do you think was responsible for training and 'enforcing' the MLS mandates on the USSF referees? Someone had to carry the instructions from MLS to the referees.
Appreciate the comments, but I was really hoping to learn more about what Esse is doing at/for FIFA than re-hashing his past role at US Soccer. Sounds like nobody really knows much, if anything.
Good point. We really don't need a bash Esse Baharmast thread. This is what I've been able to find in the news recently about him: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=799942&cc=5901&ver=us http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jcpwI8fMgQd67CyktpF3XYX5PCagD9GFR1M80 It seems pretty clear that he is in South Africa in an official capacity as an instructor. Exactly what title or how many instructors there are? I haven't been able to find that information. Similarly, I haven't found much on who the assessors/inspectors are at this tournament. Last time Vinne Mauro went (thereby, interestingly enough, giving the United States 5 individuals at the World Cup in an official officiating capacity). But I don't think he's there this time.
Maybe "bluedevils" did not read my post, wherein I said that Esse was there as a FIFA instructor. To "MassRef": Names of the assessors and match commissioners were in one of the FIFA announcements. I would send you the link, if you tell me how I can paste a "pdf" link.
yes, I read your post, thanks for mentioning it. When the announcment was made to referees that Esse was taking a job with FIFA to train referees for the World Cup, it sounded to me like they were describing it as more than just a 'staff referee instructor' for FIFA. Perhaps not.