| The 2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup will be held | | | | The 44 referee soccer World Cup candidates |
| in Germany and, with gametime approaching, | | | | have remained under close observation for an |
| the final 44 referee candidates are hoping | | | | entire year. The FIFA watch has been focused |
| that they will be among the selected | | | | on each domestic league appearance, as well |
| officials chosen to preside over this year's | | | | as each international event. "Their |
| championship event. "I've prepared well, and | | | | performances over the last 12 months are |
| I've comfortably overcome every hurdle in | | | | definitely a more important factor than the |
| this last test," admits Herbert Fandel, | | | | tests we've performed here," Llona expressed. |
| Germany's second representative in the | | | | The observation included a check on the |
| refereeing squad. World famous official | | | | candidate's skills relating to the English |
| Markus Merk declares, "I can live with the | | | | language, the knowledge and understanding of |
| result now, whichever way it goes. You get | | | | the soccer World Cup rules, psychology and |
| highs and lows in any sport." | | | | fitness. Referee candidates were required to |
| | | | defeat a time of 6.2 seconds over 40 meters |
| The remaining 44 FIFA World Cup 2006 | | | | during each of the six consecutive trials. |
| potential referees have recently gone through | | | | In addition, the potential referees underwent |
| a final test during a five-day session held | | | | an additional test of strength and exercise |
| near Frankfurt. The selection process will | | | | with their participation in a 150 meter dash |
| be complete and the results announced at the | | | | and a 50 meter walk. |
| end of March. While FIFA has yet to decide | | | | |
| on the final total number of referees to be | | | | Australian candidate Mark Shield explains, |
| used in this year's World Cup event, the | | | | "The refs have never been scrutinized for so |
| expected number is thought to be no less than | | | | long and so minutely." According to experts, |
| 30. "We've done everything we can to ensure | | | | the current candidates will be selected to |
| the referees correspond to the standards | | | | oversee the soccer World Cup championship |
| expected of this wonderful World Cup in | | | | based solely on their performance. Those who |
| Germany," said Angel Maria Villa Llona, who | | | | are selected will be given a whistle at the |
| serves as an FIFA Executive Committee member | | | | tournament and will continue on to be |
| who is responsible for match officials. | | | | recognized as game officials. |
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