FIFA has summoned 30 refs from 28 different countries for the 64 matches of the 2010 World Cup. Each is paired with two assistants (or linesmen in old fashioned speak). These colleagues have been picked by FIFA based on sharing the same language.
They’ve all been given fitness tests, had their eyesight checked and FIFA even had them mug up on English profanities in an attempt to nail verbal abuse during games. Watch your lip, Wayne.
Here’s an A-Z run-down of the men in black (or yellow, orange, red, blue, depending) with all-important card count stats.
Joel Aguilar Chicas
Nationality: El Salvadorian
First timer on the World Cup finals stage, Aguilar Chicas has been busy at U20 and U17 level for several years as well earning his fees in the CONCACAF. Appears on the face of it to be quick on the draw with his cards, but that’s less surprising when you consider he is most frequently dealing with Latin American hot-heads (including giving marching orders to four players in a heated Mexico v Panama clash in July 2009). Says he listens to music to relax. Perhaps Back in Black by AC/DC?
Yellow card average: 5 per game. Red card: 1 in every 2 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 5 games
Khalil Al Ghamdi
Nationality: Saudi Arabian
This is his second world Cup, although he wasn’t on the pitch in Germany 2006, instead acted as a fourth official. Al Ghamdi, who is a teacher by training (good training for dealing with a bunch of petulant prima donnas), impressed at the 2010 African Cup of Nations. Lists swimming as a hobby. Remains to be seen whether he’s restricted to the shallow end of the group games by FIFA.
Yellow card average: 5 per game. Red card: 1 in every 2 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 4 games
Benito Archundia
Nationality: Mexican
Well respected, this will be Archundia’s second (and last) World Cup finals. He handled the semi-final between Germany and Italy in 2006 and can expect to be on FIFA’s shortlist for the closing matches. Tri-lingual, and a lawyer by training, he is clearly no mug. He’s officiated at 87 international matches, and while three times he’s yellowed 10 players, he actually reaches for his pocket less frequently than many Latin American referees. Claims computer games help him relax. Wonder whether that includes FIFA 2010 on his X-Box?
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 3 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 8 games
Hector Baldassi
Nationality: Argentinian
La Coneja as he his nicknamed (means the She Rabbit, and sorry we don’t know why), Baldassi is making his first (and due to FIFA’s retirement policy) only appearance at the World Cup finals. Long considered the best referee in Argentina, he moves freely about the pitch to give himself the best view of the action. He is a keen golfer, and tees off in South Africa with the Serbia-Ghana group game.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 2 in every 5 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 4 games
Carlos Batres
Nationality: Guatemalan
A veteran of the internationals stage, Batres reffed two matches in the 2002 finals but missed out in 2006 because his assistants failed the FIFA fitness tests. OK, who ate all the tacos? His international record stretches back to 1996, and the stats indicate a low penalty count, but a very high probability of a sending off. Carlos a bit careless with the red card? Gets the Slovenia-Algeria in England’s group game due to injury to FIFA first choice Pablo Pozo.
Yellow card average: 5 per game. Red card: 2 in every 3 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 5 games
Olegário Benquerença
Nationality: Portugese
Experience at U17 and U20 World Cups, plus fourth official duty at Euro2008 helped secure Benquerença a ticket to South Africa. Has something of a commanding style, which works in some matches and grates in others. This might explain why he has booked eight or more players in almost 10% of his international matches, although his overall card count is respectably low. Loves to sing, apparently, but presumably not on the pitch. Anyone know any Portugese songs, anyway?
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 5 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 5 games
Massimo Busacca
Nationality: Swiss
Formerly a player, Busacca is best known in the UK for taking charge of the Man U-Barcelona Champions league final in 2009. A fitness fanatic, you’d struggle to find a faster ref on two legs. Not that wheeled refs are commonplace (yet). He’s a devout catholic too – perhaps that explains why he strives not to dispatch errant players for an early bath if he can help it.
Yellow card average: 3 per game. Red card: 1 in every 8 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 9 games
Koman Coulibaly
Nationality: Malian
Been on FIFA’s books since 1999, although this is his debut appearance at a World Cup finals. A regular officiator at the African Nations Cup (including this year’s final between Egypt and Ghana), Coulibaly looks half asleep and appears to move in super slow motion around the pitch. Record suggests he is actually awake and pretty balanced when it comes to doling out cards, although he once sent off three players in a CAF Champions League game (Asanta Kotoko versus Ittihad Khemisset, March 2009, for you anoraks out there). Likes volleyball, apparently. And why not.
Yellow card average: 3 per game. Red card: 1 in every 6 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 9 games
Jerome Damon
Nationality: South African
With four African Nations Cup finals under his belt, Damon proudly represents the host nation at these finals. In 2004 a number of South African referees were arrested for taking bribes, but Damon was not one of them. Yet another ref who is a teacher. He is due to preside in the New Zealand v Slovakia group game. Will he teach the Kiwis what football is all about?
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 5 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 6 games
Frank de Bleeckere
Nationality: Belgian
As one of Europe’s top referees and not inconvenienced by the presence of his own nation’s side in the finals, de Bleeckere is a potential candidate for the big games at the business end of the tournament. He was in charge of the England v Ecuador last 16 game in the 2006 finals, booking John Terry and five others. Speaks French, German, Dutch and English. Doesn’t mean he’ll understand what Wayne’s saying, though.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 4 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 5 games
Martin Hansson
Nationality: Swedish
Hansson is as Hansson does. One-time firefighter Hansson is best known for failing to spot Thierry Henry’s flagrant handball which ignited Irish indignation by gifting France a play-off victory in qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals. If controversy burned following that decision, it isn’t the first time Hansson has enflamed critics. Take the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Final. During this match, Hansson failed to award Brazil a goal after a header by Kaká crossed the United States goal-line before being cleared. Brazil's eventual victory dampened the flames.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 3 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 4 games
Michael Hester
Nationality: New Zealander
Kiwi players last graced the Finals with their presence back in 1982. If they’re rare visitors to football’s greatest show on earth, Kiwi refs are even rarer. But would you believe it, we’ve got not one but two in South Africa. Hester is one of the least experienced international refs on the 2010 Finals roster having only been granted his FIFA badge in 2007. Little known fact: he’s a naval officer when not pulling on his boots. The big question: will he get a game or be left all at sea?
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 2 in every 5 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 5 games
Viktor Kassai
Nationality: Hungarian
On FIFA’s books since 2003, Kassai appears to be more highly rated by FIFA than UEFA who have only given him limited run outs in the Champions League. A travel agent by trade, he must be delighted his passport will now have a South African stamp in it. The stats suggest he is more card shy then many of his fellow refs.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 7 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 4 games
Ravshan Irmatov
Nationality: Uzbekistani
Another making his World Cup debut and has the glory of officiating at the opening game, South Africa v Mexico. Man Utd fans may recall Irmatov giving Nermanja Vidic a straight red in the 2008 Club World Club final, but the Uzbek’s overall record suggests he is even handed in terms of dishing out cards. Not sure there’s going to be many in South Africa who understand a word of his mother tongue but luckily he also speaks English.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 4 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 6 games
Stéphane Lannoy
Nationality: French
Like many refs, Lannoy started out as a player but quickly reckoned he’d get further with a whistle in his hand than the ball at his feet. FIFA gave him his badge in 2006 so this is his first (and last) chance at a World Cup finals. Neither lenient nor harsh judge on his stats. He’s a video games distributor when, we assume, not blowing his whistle.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 4 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 5 games
Jorge Larrionda
Nationality: Uruguian
Widely regarded as the best South American ref around, he is being tipped up as a possible to take charge of the final if Brazil or Argentina aren’t involved (or, somewhat less likely, Uruguay). Has a stern reputation and a bad foul sends him straight for the red – as two players found to their cost in the Italy v USA kickathon in the 2006 World Cup (a game which saw 3 players given an early bath by Larrionda). Breeds parrots in his spare time.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 2 in every 3 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 6 games
Eddy Maillet
Nationality: Seychelles
The tiny island nation of the Seychelles, probably the last country to come to mind in relation to world class football, can at least claim a world class ref. The experienced Maillet is a standing dish at the African Cup of Nations where he has been generally even handed (although he rarely resorts to brandishing a red). Now he gets his opportunity to put the Seychelles on the biggest footballing stage of all. On me Ed, son.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 16 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 12 games
Subkhiddin Modh Salleh
Nationality: Malaysian
Has been plying his trade at the last two U20 World Cups well enough to get the FIFA call up for the big one. Another ref who doubles up as a school teacher, he was busy during the Asian round of World Cup qualifiers, taking charge of 11 fixtures. When it comes to his bookings, are you a buyer or Salleh?
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 3 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 6 games
Yuichi Nishimura
Nationality: Japanese
Golf mad Nishimura has been officiating in internationals since 2004. He’s well regarded, being the only non African referee at the 2008 African Nations Cup having taken charge of the 2007 U17 World Cup final. We’ll first see him in the Uruguay France game on the opening day.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 7 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 6 games
Peter O’Leary
Nationality: New Zealander
There are only two Kiwi refs on FIFA’s books and both have got the call up. O’Leary is normally to be seen sunning himself in exotic Pacific locations like the Cook Islands handling U17 and U20 games, so this is something of a step-up. Away from the pitch, he’s a science teacher who likes fishing. Interesting combo.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 5 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 8 games
Pablo Pozo
Nationality: Chilean
Injury can blight a referee’s World Cup just as much they can Rio’s. Pity Pablo Pozo, who sprained his ankle in training and therefore looks likely to be keeping the reffing bench warm. We’re unlikely therefore to see the Chilean in action in South Africa.
Yellow card average: 5 per game. Red card: 1 in every 2 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 4 games
Roberto Rosetti
Nationality: Italian
Highly regarded and very experienced (he took charge of both the opening and closing matches in Euro 2008), Rosetti is expected to handle some of the big games at this World Cup. A strict disciplinarian, he is also very keen on talking to the players. So they can expect to be told that a card is on its way. A keen tennis player when he’s not on the football pitch.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 3 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 5 games
Marco Rodriquez
Nationality: Mexican
Something of a dead ringer for Carlos Tevez, Rodriguez will be familiar to die-hard England fans as he officiated the England-Paraguay game in the 2006 Finals. He’s a bit of a card sharp, once dismissing four players in a single game (at the U17 World Cup , Brazil against Gambia in 2005, since you ask), and he produced red in four out of the seven World Cup qualifiers he took charge of in 2008-09. Very religious, so players best advised to keep a check on those blasphemies.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 7 in every 10 games. Penalty awarded: 2 in every 5 games
Oscar Ruiz
Nationality: Colombia
Full name Óscar Julián Ruiz Acosta, this will be his third and final World Cup Finals appearance following duty in 2002 and 2006. He has one of the longest pedigrees amongst FIFA-badged refs, having taken charge of his first international match way back in 1995. His Dad was a ref, his brother is a ref. Bit of a family affair, it seems.
Yellow card average: 5 per game. Red card: 2 in every 5 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 5 games
Carlos Simon
Nationality: Brazilian
Not to be confused with Carly Simon (of You’re So Vain fame), veteran Simon (he’s 45 since you ask) is another taking his curtain call at the 2010 World Cup Finals having been on stage in 2002 and 2006. Like many South American refs he has courted some controversy, but he should know that goes with the terriroty being a journalist when he’s not officiating. He takes charge of England’s opener against the USA.
Yellow card average: 5 per game. Red card: 1 in every 3 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 5 games
Wolgang Stark
Nationality: German
He’s been on FIFA’s books since 1999 which makes him one of the more experienced referees at the 2010 Finals. Stark by name, stark by nature – certainly if you were in the Chilean line-up that faced
Argentina in the 2007 U20 World Cup, a match in which he reached for his pocket nine times, issuing seven yellows and two red cards against the Chileans. Into motor bikes, we hear (perhaps to get away from disgruntled Chileans?). Vroom, vroom.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 5 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 7 games
Alberto Undiano Mallenco
Nationality: Spanish
The sole Spanish representative amongst the 2010 refs, Undiano Mallenco has been FIFA accredited since 2004. Highly respected in his home country, he was in charge when England thumped Croatia 5-1 at Wembley last year. Interesting fact (or not): he’s also a part-time sociologist.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 10 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 8 games
Martin Vazquez
Nationality: Uruguayan
Only got the call up when two other refs didn’t make the cut because their assistants failed FIFA’s fitness test. This is his first World Cup, although he did officiate at the 2008 Olympic Games. Used to dealing with hot-headed Latin Americans, hence his high card count. Hobbies include reading, but probably not this.
Yellow card average: 6 per game. Red card: 4 in every 5 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 4 games
Howard Webb
Nationality: English
The shaven-headed Webb (who is a policeman by training) is well known in the UK, taking charge of Premiership matches when just 32. He’s no stranger to controversy, and won few friends in Euro 2008 where he allowed an offside goal and awarded a dubious 92nd minute penalty in a group match between Austria and Poland. Once dished out nine yellows and a red during a bumpy ride reffing a France v Isreal U21 match. His father was a referee too. In the blood, then.
Yellow card average: 4 per game. Red card: 1 in every 6 games. Penalty awarded: 1 in every 4 games
Card and penalty statistics based on non-domestic matches in which the individual has officiated. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these statistics, Sporting Index cannot be held responsible for any errors or inconsistencies. These statistics are not intended as a recommendation for future betting.