FIFA makes a landmark decision for U17 World Cup

by Chittu Shetty August 19, 2017

FIFA Referees Committee has appointed 21 trios of match officials, representing all six confederations for the upcoming U17 world cup in India.

Pic courtesy: Franck Fife/AFP

With only two months to go before the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 kicks off, the FIFA Referees Committee has appointed 21 trios of match officials along with 7 Support Referee, representing all six confederations.

Some of the selected match officials for U-17 world cup, India 2017 are also part of FIFA’s flagship competition, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. For others India will be the chance to show case their quality.

Although no Indian referee was selected for the competition, a landmark decisions was still taken by FIFA in the selection of Female referees for a men’s tournament. The results and improvements seen in the joint preparations have shown that the time has come for elite female referees to officiate in men’s competitions together with their male colleagues.

“We think it’s time for elite female referees to be involved in a FIFA men’s competition. They worked together with male match officials last year and now we want to see them working together in a competition,” said FIFA Head of Refereeing Massimo Busacca.

Also Read: FIFA U-17 WC trophy experience to kick off in New Delhi on Saturday

The referees have completed a host of activities together in several seminars, including theoretical sessions in the classroom and practical sessions on the field of play. The match officials have also discussed and practiced various game situations to achieve consistency and uniformity.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 will take place in Goa, Guwahati, Kochi, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai and New Delhi between 6 and 28 October 2017. The final will be played at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata on 28 October.