Posted: Friday, August 16, 2024. 1:32 pm CST.
Referees (Back Row L-R): Victor Caliz, Andres Chiroy, Alexander Lourie, Efren Guy; Assistant Referees (Front Row L-R): Juan Jose Colindres, Ari Williams, Robert Cucul, Kevin Rash – Photo Credit: FFB
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: A group of eight Belizean football referees have successfully passed the rigorous FIFA Fitness Test, paving the way for their potential inclusion in the 2025 FIFA List. This achievement was reached as part of the 2024 Member Association (MA) Referees Training Course, held at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Thursday, August 15, 2024. The MA Referees Training Course is designed to enhance the skills and fitness of referees within their associations.
The Fitness Test, administered by FIFA instructor and Referees Director Eugene Contreras, saw eight officials—four referees and four assistant referees—out of 19 meet the demanding fitness standards required by FIFA. In total, 24 referees participated in the MA Training Course, but five didn’t take the fitness test due to injury. Of the 19 who took the fitness test, ten were referees and nine were assistant referees. That only eight passed underscores the demanding nature of the course and the high standards required to succeed.
This accomplishment not only demonstrates their dedication and hard work but also marks a crucial step in their professional development.
“We have only one FIFA Assistant referee, who is Juan Jose Colindres,” Contreras told Breaking Belize News. “They have to be registered on a yearly basis after they have passed the FIFA Fitness test.”
FIFA Assistant Referee Juan Jose Colindres (left) officiated CONCACAF Central American Cup match between El Salvador’s Luis Angel Firpo and Costa Rica’s Liga Deportiva Alajuelense on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at San Salvador’s Estadio Jorge ‘Mágico’ González – Photo Credit: Fox Sports
However, passing the MA Referees Training Course and Fitness Test doesn’t automatically qualify a referee for the FIFA List. They must work their way up the international ranks through the regional organizations: the Central American Football Union (UNCAF) and the North, Central American, and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF).
“The referee has to participate in international youth tournaments organized by CONCACAF and UNCAF, then they get recommended by instructors of the two organizations,” Contreras said. “Then they have to pass the fitness test.”
Football Federation of Belize (FFB) President Sergio Chuc, representing the FFB and the Referees Department, congratulated all the successful candidates.
Referees: Victor Caliz, Andres Chiroy, Alexander Lourie, and Efren Guy – Photo Credit: FFB
Assistant Referees: Ari Williams, Juan Jose Colindres, Robert Cucul, and Kevin Rash – Photo Credit: FFB
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2024, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post 8 Belizean football referees pass FIFA Fitness Test, eye 2025 FIFA List appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Friday, August 16, 2024. 1:32 pm CST. Referees (Back Row L-R): Victor Caliz, Andres Chiroy, Alexander Lourie, Efren Guy; Assistant Referees (Front Row L-R): Juan
The post 8 Belizean football referees pass FIFA Fitness Test, eye 2025 FIFA List appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
