AFFA Referees Committee Chairman: "We are preparing referees like a football team"

We are preparing referees like a football team.

According to "Report", this was stated by Frank De Bleeckere, Chairman of the AFFA Referees Committee, in his statement to the official website of the national association about the training camp of the justice representatives in Turkey.

The Belgian expert said he was satisfied with the referees' preparation:

"The training camp is very important in terms of preparing for the second part of the Misli Premier League. That's why we are here. It is already the fourth day that the referees have physical training twice a day, and we also have two technical sessions a day. A doctor and a physiotherapist have also come with us. There is every condition for the referees to be professionally trained. We are preparing referees like a football team. They are also preparing for the second part of the season, training together, and this is very important for teamwork. They talk to each other, learn from each other. I am very happy that we can work in such a good environment in good weather conditions, on fantastic football fields. I thank the AFFA management for giving us this opportunity".

Frank De Bleeckere evaluated the performance of the referees in the first half of the Misli Premier League: "I am very satisfied with the first part of the season. When I first came to Baku at the end of July last year, the referees were new to me. I saw a group that wanted to work. Sometimes there were those who were a little skeptical. But we really created a good team. The most important thing for me is that we find a very good balance between the referee and the VAR on the field. We have a high intervention line, we don't want to give light yellow, red cards and penalties. This is very important for us, this is also the main line of UEFA. In general, I see personalities on the field, my referees have high qualities, they have good game management. I think we have performed well in terms of game management. Of course, there are always things we need to improve, no one is perfect. I want us to continue as in the first part of the season until the last game day in May. Now the main thing is for our team to show that it is ready for big, important games in the coming weeks and months".

The Chairman of the AFFA Referees Committee also explained the reason for assigning young referees to test matches: "We have 4 friendly matches. One is already behind us. We appoint young, promising referees to these matches so that they can gain experience by officiating international games. This is a good experience for young referees. They are the next generation. I want to give young people more experience in games of foreign teams. We do it step by step. FIFA referees and other experienced referees are here to prepare for the second part of the season.

We have three international referees, two of whom are in the first category. This is an excellent indicator. Both they and we worked very hard in the first 6 months. Now everyone wants to achieve the maximum. We also need to prepare young referees for the coming months and seasons. That's why the preparation in Turkey is very important".

It should be noted that the referees' training camp in Antalya will continue until January 12.