Africa referees fail fitness test

Accra, May 27, GNA - Two trios of Africa referees have been dropped from the list of the thirty referee trios selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010T and will not be able to take part in the competition.

They are Referee Mohamed Benouza (Algeria) and assistant referees, Nasser Abdel Nadi (Egypt) and Maamar Chabane (Algeria).

Information gathered by GNA Sports from FIFA Media Channel said the two assistant referees of those trios did not pass the fitness tests which we re held in their confederation prior to departure for South Africa.

The following trios will therefore not officiate at the FIFA World C up South Africa 2010: Referee Mohamed Benouza, Algeria, and assistant refere es, Nasser Abdel Nadi, Egypt and Maamar Chabane, Algeria.

The other referees dropped are Referee: Carlos Amarilla (Paraguay) and assistant referees: Emigdio Ruiz (Paraguay) and Nicol=E1s Yegros (Paraguay) The information said it is one of FIFA's main objectives to significantly improve refereeing standards and, to this end, the FIFA Referees Committee has selected trios of match officials who come from th e same country or confederation and who share the same language.

Instructions issued to the referees prior to the competition made it

clear that entire trios would be forced out of the competition if either the main referee or two of the assistant referees were unable to complete or pass the fitness test. It said the official fitness tests were conducted in each of the six

confederations by FIFA instructors during the past week.

Meanwhile the following trio has been appointed as a replacement: Referee: Martin E. Vazquez Broquetas (Uruguay) and assistant referees: Carlos Pastorino (Uruguay) and Miguel Nievas (Uruguay).