Men in charge who hate to make the headlines

One of Fifa’s most decorated referees, has also supervised a Mohun Bagan-East Bengal match in the Kolkata in 2012. Irmatov has officiated in ISL and has been part of two World Cup finals and an Olympics.

2018-05-22 - Dhiman Sarkar sportsdesk@hindustantimes.com

WORLD CUP 2018 REFEREES get ready for the biggest assignment of their careers and hope for an errorfree month in Russia

An employee in a municipality, an owner of a hair studio, a lieutenant-colonel, a doctorate in law, an actor and a former maths teacher will put their day jobs on hold and head to Russia. Each will want to be there till the end of the World Cup and yet, to a person, they will not want to be noticed. Because only that guarantees job satisfaction for football referees.

Some like Alireza Fagnani, who works in a municipality, walked in their father’s footsteps. Uzbekistan’s Ravshan Irmatov was aspiring to be a coach — after injury ended his football career when he was a teenager — when he took up the whistle in a youth game because the referee didn’t turn up. Mark Geiger started refereeing when he was 13 because he wanted to earn a few dollars more and Szymon Marciniak began lessons after being shown the red card by a referee who asked him whether he could do any better. Geiger used to school children in mathematics for 17 years before becoming a full-time ref. When he has the time, Geiger assists his brother who is a school cross-country coach. The much decorated Cüneyt Çakır sells insurance and Malang Diedhiou is with the customs department where he is a lieutenant-colonel.

Many of the players and coaches who bow to their authority are multi-millionaires and that doesn’t make the job of the referees, who could be paid up to $70,000 and $3000 as match fee according to goal.com and the website Quora, any easier. The pay packet is a raise from the $35,000-$50,000 they got in 2014.

So, like players and coaches, they often do their own quirky things as they get ready for a game. Part of Geiger’s preparations is throwing up. Brazil’s Sandro Ricci removes his wedding ring before every game and gives it four kisses.

One each for the four most important women in my life: my mother, my wife and my two daughters, he told FIFA.com before the 2014 finals.

Soon after the names were announced, the referees attended a two-week preparatory camp in Coverciano, Italy. Getting ready for the World Cup is an almost two-year project during which they have to maintain fitness standards, meet diet requirements and stay up to speed with the laws.

No one knows how many games they will get yet --- initial postings will be decided on June 4 after another seminar ---- but for each one this is a dream assignment. One where a nightmare is never far away. referees on the World Cup panel were also part of the U-17 World Cup in India: Ryuji Sato (Jap), Mehdi Abid Charef (Alg), Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Eth), Jair Marrufo (US), Ricardo Montero (Csr), John Pitti (Pan), Enrique Cáceres (Par), Sandro Ricci (Bra), Clément Turpin (Fra).

More have officiated in Indian Super League (ISL) games. They are: Matthew Conger of New Zealand and Ravshan Irmatov of Uzbekistan.

Mark Geiger (United States)

Was a high school mathematics teacher for 17 years and got a presidential award for teaching in maths and science. Néstor Pitana (Argentina) Physical Education teacher who has acted in a film. Felix Brych (Germany) Doctorate in law specialising in sport. Cüneyt Çakır (Turkey) Professional insurance agent.

WHISTLES

A spare one n in case the one being used malfucntions. Usually these days, pea-less whistles are used. Referees usually have the whistle on a strap attached to their hand or neck to ensure it doesn’t fall

NOTEBOOK OR DATA WALLET

To record events during the match.

PENCIL/S:

Because pens may malfunction. Usually two pencils.

COIN:

For toss. To decide which team kicks-off, start extra-time and toe-breakers.

YELLOW CARDS:

Again two in case one is misplaced and is usually kept in the vest pocket.

RED CARDS:

Usually two in case one is misplaced and is usually kept in the backpocket of shorts to ensure that it is not mistakenly taken out instead of a yellow card.

VANISHING SPRAY:

To earmark the spot for free-kicks.

TRANSMITTER:

To communicate with assistants and the fourth official. It is usually worn on the body at the waist and comes with a earpiece. SPRINTING Around 25.2 km/h HIGH-SPEED 19.9 to 25.2 km/h AFC(Asia)

Al Mirdasi Fahad (KSA)

Faghani Alireza (IRN)

Irmatov Ravshan (UZB) Mohamed Mohammed Abdulla (UAE)

Sato Ryuji (JPN)

Shukralla Nawaf Abdulla (BHR)

CONCACAF (North America) Aguilar Joel (SLV)

Geiger Mark W. (USA)

Marrufo Jair (USA)

Montero Ricardo (CRC)

Pitti John (PAN)

Ramos Palazuelos Cesar Arturo (MEX)

CONMEBOL (South America) Bascuñan Julio (CHI)