The new refereeing regulations of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) will allow referees to remain active until the age of 50, the chairman of the Arbitration Council (CA), José Fontelas Gomes, confirmed to Lusa.
«The referees, nowadays, have a professional longevity that extends for more years, as, incidentally, happens with any athlete. It therefore makes perfect sense to adapt this ability to the career of referees and allow those who have the physical and technical conditions to continue to make their contribution », he said.
Currently, the age limit for football referees is set at 45 years, but can be extended to 48, if the FPF CA agrees. With this new regulation, the career of referees will be extended for another two years.
“The measure remains exceptional and will have to be authorized by the CA, provided that the referee is under 50 years of age on July 1 of the calendar year of the beginning of the season in question”, an official source of the FPF explained to Lusa.
«In addition to this requirement, the referee must be in full physical condition and have a positive performance evaluation, adequate to the competitive requirements», he stressed.
Fontelas Gomes understands that this measure is advantageous, given «the enormous experience accumulated and the knowledge of the game that comes from it».
It should be noted that Manuel Mota, aged 47, and Rui Costa, who completes them in June, are the oldest referees in the first category.
2023-05-15 11:19:00
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