Referees to crack down on ‘slow’ action

The opening match will be crucial in sending out a signal to players and setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.

That point is not lost on Ali Bujsaim, who will officiate the World Cup opener between defending champions France and first-time qualifiers Senegal on May 31. “The first match is the benchmark for the standard and quality of refereeing for all the following matches,” Bujsaim said today.

The 42-year-old referee from the United Arab Emirates made his international debut 12 years ago. He officiated in a semifinal of the 1998 World Cup in France and at last year’s final of the Confederation Cup.

Bujsaim placed ‘simulation’ – pretending to be fouled or writhing on the grass in fake agony – at the top of his “don’t do” list for players. Staying close to the action, ensuring a clear angle of vision and consulting with the linesmen are essential for a referee, he said.

His experience has taught him a few tips. “The major thing is that you don’t look at the player doing the acting you look at his opponent. That tells you a lot,” he said.

Bujsaim can’t speak French, the language of both sides in Friday’s game, but he doesn’t view that as a problem.

“Mainly, the (red or yellow) cards are our language,” he said.

“Sometimes through hand gestures you can make them understand. And sometimes it’s better not to know the language,” he added with a grin, apparently referring to the expletives occasionally directed at referees.

A test of a referee’s experience is gauging whether to punish players with cards, which themselves can disrupt or spoil a game.