An example of Referee Recruitment: The Belgian RCM Project

Although most of the blog's readers surely agree that football refereeing is one of the most beautiful and challenging hobbies you can have, there are problems to find a sufficient number of up-and-coming referees insisting on the Laws of the Game in plenty of European countries that even count as "referee nations". Belgium has a project that could function as a role model for how national associations should approach this lack of referees by promoting respect for the men and women in black in order to encourage more youngsters to become servants of the game.

The RCM project targets at encouraging new referees to manage the game

Referees are crucial in our football. Without referees we cannot play football. It’s always been this way so nothing has changed about that. It’s a trend in our society that there is little respect for referees and authorities in general. We find it important that those people can shake the hand with players and leave the field satisfied. That is why we would like to enhance Respect for the men/women in black!
According to RCM we have three different groups of referees. The first group is made up of true generations of referees, where many family members like father and son are referees. The second group are people who have chosen to become a referee because they had too many problems with injuries as active players. The third group consist of people who don’t think about refereeing in the first place. This is the group that the RCM project wants to reach. We want to convince people, let them taste refereeing by whistling games in their own club. We call it Conviction!
The recruitment of referees is vital. But even if we have acquired these people, it is very important to keep them motivated and give them the stimulation needed to go on. Furthermore, we will have a referee ambassador. Together with the clubs and the help of another young referee we want to offer young referees support whenever needed. That's why we also have a contact form on your website. Doing so we aim at supporting the officials whenever they need our support. Thus, we guarantee a lot of Motivation for them.
The RCM project has been read by many referees from the Belgian first division. We have received very positive feedback, since the top-class referees absolutely shared our approach and point of view. We are convinced that the cooperation with referees from the highest divisions is vitally helpful to recruit referees and make them stronger to stay a referee for a long time. Sharing experiences and talk about their great hobby is very important for referees. With the help of 14 referees from the first division we opened a platform where young referees and people, who are interested in refereeing, are allowed to ask questions that will be answered by these referees. We hope that the RCM – project will stimulate a lot of people to become a referee in future.

The program is run by Sandra de Kerf, who is regularly blogging on "Hé Scheids!!". The RCM project (Respect, Conviction, Motivation) is furthermore accompanied by FIFA referee and mentor Serge Gumienny.

Are there similar projects in your country? How about referee recruitment in your country? Feel free to discuss it!

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has called for timeouts at next summer's World Cup

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has called for timeouts at next summer's World Cup to ensure players remain hydrated.

Prandelli is concerned about how the climate in Brazil will affect players, with temperatures and humidity expected to be high across a number of the cities.

"I'd like to propose timeouts for rehydration breaks," he said. "There are two big problems in Brazil and that is the heat and the humidity, which are worryingly high in certain cities and we felt that during the Confederations Cup."

Italy struggled with tiredness and cramps during last summer's dress rehearsal tournament in Brazil, learning what to expect in 2014 and how to prepare better.

Prandelli feels everybody would benefit from having additional breaks during matches, although simply placing bottles of water behind the goals, like last summer, is not the solution.

"If you look at the video footage [of the Confederations Cup], you see that everybody was dashing for a drink every time there was a corner," Prandelli said at a news conference in Rome on Tuesday, prior to the departure for Friday's draw in Brazil.

"The risk is people will start kicking the ball out for a corner just to have a drink. Timeouts would be better. If we want to provide the world with a spectacle, then we need to give the players the chance to provide it."
FIFA General Secretary Valcke has insisted on the referees' duty to decide on that by declaring that timeouts will remain at the referees' discretion. If the referee or the stadium's medical responsible feel that timeouts are necessary for climatic reasons, they might be included in the match time, as "they have to decide whether the conditions are adequate and how many breaks are needed".

Brazuca Official Ball 2014 World Cup

Blue, green and gold dominate the appearance of " Brazuca " , the official ball for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil , which was launched in a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday (Wednesday pm ) .

The word " Brazuca " has a double meaning , it could mean that the Brazilian people to go abroad, including the football players . But it is also a slang to describe a sense of national pride .

Sports equipment manufacturer Adidas ball call this product is a revolutionary breakthrough innovation . Ball decorated with ribbon design with blue , green , and gold are the traditional colors of Brazil .

The ball will be put into use on June 12, 2014 in the World Cup opener in Sao Paulo and will continue to be used until the final match on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro .

" Ball FIFA World Cup tournament will be an icon because it is the center of attention in any goals , games and touch , " said Ernesto Bruce , director of soccer for adidas America . Adidas ball has been used in a World Cup match since 1970 .

Even so , the World Cup balls always raises the pros and cons in every World Cup event . The players - especially pejaga wicket - often complain about the slipperiness or the velocity of the ball .

At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa , Adidas launched the ball with the product name " Jabulani . "

Platini admits Spain is Still the Best

UEFA president , Michel Platini , admits Spain are still the best team in the world . He did not hesitate a candidate El Matador as candidate won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in June.

Platini revealed this in an interview with the U.S. this week . They talked about a number of topics , including the perception in Spain that he is not a fan of La Furia Roja , following the success of the team in recent years .


" It's not true . I love La Roja and their game , " said Platini was quoted as saying of Football Espana , Wednesday ( 04/12/2013 ) .

" The team reminds me of how they were with France in the 1980s , with a number of players such as Giresse and Tigana , like Xavi and Iniesta small , but with great talent . "

" Not only midfielder , but also full of skill and the defender could play the ball . And , then the explosive striker with a powerful game and finishing ability . Spain is power , and they have the best national team in recent years . "

" That's why they won the last two European Cup and World Cup . However , the most important thing is that they have done so with the popular style of play , which is liked by the fans and professionals . So , they have a lot of followers in the world . "

" Are they a favorite in the World Cup ? They are favorites as defending champion , but it depends on the strength and condition of the players when going to Brazil 2014 . "

Regarding fitness , Platini gives attention to veteran players like Xavi , Puyol and Xabi Alonso . However, he is confident with the ability of the young players who brought coach Vicente del Bosque , who can match the level of the senior.

" If everything goes well, the Spanish could defend the World Cup title , " said Platini .

Ronaldinho Aims One Place at 2014 World Cup

The former world player , Ronaldinho , hoping to still be able to wear the uniform of the Brazilian national team . Ronaldinho , who is playing at Atletico Mineiro wants to realize the hopes of the 2014 World Cup .

Ronaldinho last times for Brazil in a friendly match against Chile in April 2013 . Until now , Ronaldinho has played as many as 97 times , scoring 33 goals for the Selecao .


Ronaldinho was still a chance to appear for Brazil . Moreover , Ronaldinho has a good relationship with the current Brazilian coach , Luiz Felipe Scolari .

" Felipao ( Scolari calls ) is a person who is and always open to me . I know there is still a chance if played well , " said Ronaldinho .

" Coach looks already decided the squad ( for the 2014 World Cup ) . However , anyone who plays well is still able to perform at the World Cup , " he added .

This season , Ronaldinho appeared sharp enough to Atletico Mineiro . Although age of 33 years , Ronaldinho has always been the primary choice and scored 13 goals from 30 games in the arena .

" I'm always working hard to improve the capabilities . Given the opportunity to play in the World Cup , then I'm ready . Felipao and I 've won the World Cup together . We have a good relationship , " he concluded .

Tom Øvrebø has drawn a line under his career

A psychologist by profession, a psychologist on the football pitch: Former Norwegian international match official Tom Henning Øvrebø has rung down the curtain on his career as a referee due to injury. 

Having become a FIFA licensed referee in 1994, Øvrebø is able to look back on a bright development, having started with a participation in UEFA U-21 EURO 2002. Even though it took him a while to reach the peak, since he finished his university degree only in 1998, he managed his ultimate breakthrough by having been appointed to oversee two Europa League (former UEFA Cup) semifinals in 2006 and 2007. As a logical consequence, he attended UEFA EURO 2008 as one of twelve referees, where he was sent home early though because of a controversial performance in Italy vs Romania. In October 2008, Øvrebø was put onto the list of pre-selected referees for FIFA World Cup 2010.

A few months later, he made an important step forward when he was designated to handle the second leg of UEFA Champions League’s semifinal between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. Having rejected a handful of penalty appeals by the home side, his officiating team consisting of Geir Åge Holen and Dag-Roger Nebben on the sidelines faced a “third half” of this match. Øvrebø did not only have to bear the probably most severe protests ever seen during and after a match by Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba, but also received death threats which required a change of the hotel and police protection up to the airport. Of course, the players and media involved ignored the many acceptable and correct decisions taken by the referee team. 

Øvrebø never really recovered from that. Only one year later, further mistakes and controversies happened in the Round of 16 match between Bayern München and Fiorentina. As soon as he received the message that he had not been selected for the World Cup, he took the decision to finish his international career. Nevertheless, the then 44 year-old referee was ambitious enough to continue his occupation as a referee on domestic turf. In 2012 and 2013, he handled several matches in Norway’s 2nd division. 

Tom Øvrebø is still receiving mails containing death threats from some furious Chelsea fanatics, whom the Norwegian does not take serious though. He told The Times: “The death threats immediately find their way into the dustbin. I don’t take this serious. I am just surprised about those people. […] One guy referred to a Champions League final in Moscow some years ago. This says something about his intelligence.” This Champions League final was by the way refereed by Lubos Michel and not him. 

An intractable knee injury was needed to make this referee finish his passion he is still following on TV with plenty of joy. Undoubtfully, this referee would have deserved more support and fairness in the most difficult part of his career.

Match fixing plague has arrived in UEFA Europa League

Two Armenian match officials, 1984 born FIFA referee Andranik Arsenyan and FIFA assistant referee Hovhannes Agavyan, have received lifetime bans from their domestic FA after being found guilty of having influenced the 2013 Europa League First Qualifying Round match between FC Inter Turku (Finland) and Víkingur Gøta (Faroe Islands) on July 11th.

Armenian Andranik Arsenyan won't return onto the pitch (c) 101greatgoals

According to reports, a wager of 300,000 was placed with Betfair that both teams would score in the match, which initially triggered suspicions of something untoward. Then, when the match actually started, two dubious penalties were called one after another for both sides by the ref.

UEFA subsequently launched an investigation, and the findings were that two Armenian referees on duty in the game had been bought.

The twist in the tale is that the mystery fixer lurking in the shadows also lost.

Despite the two penalties to each side, hosts Inter Turku missed their spot-kick ending the match 0-1 to Víkingur. In this match, Arsenyan was assisted by Erik Arevshatyan and guilty Hovhannes Agavyan. Manuk Fahradyan completed the officiating team that was observed by English Stephen Bennett.

Watch footage of the two dodgy penalties below.

Official statement by UEFA

UEFA yesterday took note of the decision of the Executive Committee of the Football Federation of Armenia (HFF) with regard to the referee and assistant referee who officiated at the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round match between FC Inter Turku and Víkingur on 11 July 2013.

In a hearing at the HFF, referee Andranik Arsenyan and assistant referee Hovhannes Avagyan admitted having tried to manipulate the outcome of the second-leg game, which ended 1-0 in favour of Víkingur.

The UEFA betting fraud detection system (BFDS) – which monitors over 32,000 matches across Europe, including all first-division and UEFA competition games – had detected suspicious betting patterns around this fixture, and this prompted the start of an investigation by UEFA to which the HFF contributed closely.

UEFA is pleased with the excellent cooperation of the HFF, the local authorities and the betting operators during the investigation process.

Today, the chairman of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to suspend with immediate effect, and for any football-related activities, both match officials. At the same time, a disciplinary proceeding has been opened in accordance with Article 12 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (integrity of matches and competitions, and match-fixing).

The case will be dealt with by the Control and Disciplinary Body on Thursday 22 August at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

source: 101greatgoals

RefCam reveals football from the referee's perspective

US American referee Hilario Grajeda had the honour to be the first football referee wearing a so-called "RefCam" placed around his head during the match between an MLS All-Star Team and AS Roma on 2 August. 

Hilario Grajeda wearing the "RefCam" (c) givemesport.com

After this system had been deployed in rugby matches several times, the United States' soccer federation tested this technology to offer insights and new perspectives into what referees have in their area of vicinity on the pitch and the heat of emotions they sometimes have to deal with while coping with players.

Source: Jeugdscheidsrechter.nl

Dutch veteran stars honour deceased Richard Nieuwenhuizen

A team riddled with several former Dutch football stars have joined a benefit match against an amateur team and thus gained 56.000 € for the relatives of Dutch assistant referee Richard Nieuwenhuizen, who was bludgeoned to death by young amateur players after a match played in Almere in December 2012.

Ajax Amsterdam's current coach Frank de Boer had the idea to organize this match. Among others, Edwin van der Sar, Dennis Bergkamp, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Giovanni van Bronckhorst belonged to the team that won 8:1 and which was managed by Ronald Koeman, European champion in 1988, and Ajax legend Sjaak Swart.

Prior to the match, the chief officer of the Dutch football association KNVB, Michael van Praag, as well as Almere's mayoress Annemarie Jorritsma have plead in favour of a football that is clean of every form of violent behaviour.

The suspected culprits are remaining in custody until their trial that is expected for summer 2013. 

Following the outrage, there has been a widely supported campaign aimed at honouring and respecting the victim.

Turkish Football Federation controverts alleged interview given by Cüneyt Çakır

In the aftermath of last Tuesday's UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and Real Madrid and of the Turkish officiating team's controversial performance, referee Cüneyt Çakır's media scolding does not come to a rest. 

Returning to his Turkish league duties: Cüneyt Çakır (c) metro.co.uk

Following a report concerning alleged statements given by Çakır to a newspaper, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has now controverted any form of medial statement given by the match official, since "...Cüneyt Çakır didn't give any interview to any journalist or to any media organisation". The statement furthermore said that he also didn't have any social media account on websites like Facebook, Twitter, etc, because of their rules.

Spanish newspaper AS reported that Çakır "didn't doubt his decisions" and claimed that sending off Nani for his challenge on Álvaro Arbeloa was the correct call. Quotes were also attributed to the 36-year-old which rubbished suggestions that he had an agenda against English clubs after sending off Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Mario Balotelli in previous Uefa competitions.

A UEFA spokesman has reinforced the football body's full support for the referee and his performance. In compliance with the report they received from Çakır, UEFA will desist from punishing ManU defender Rio Ferdinand for his derisive applause after the final whistle.

partial source: Goal.com

Lorenzo Manganelli escapes critical condition after car accident

Italian aspiring and talented FIFA assistant referee Lorenzo Manganelli (1974) has luckily escaped his critical health condition following a serious car accident in which he was involved along with three other cars and which claimed one fatal victim. 

Lorenzo Manganelli (c) La Nazione

Around 19:30 on Sunday, 24 February, he was returning home along with his colleague Filippo Bercigli and their girlfriends [...]. His car was involved in a terrible accident on the A1 stretch between Florence and Incisa. A dreadful collision where four cars, for reasons that are still to be determined, clashed in the chain. One of the occupants died instantly, while there were two seriously injured and five mild injured people. Among those in critical condition is Manganelli, who started an international refereeing career that took him to some of the most important matches of European football including several UEFA Champions League matches and friendlies such as Germany - France in 2012 and France - Germany in 2013. He is said to be the currently best Italian assistant referee, at least according to the shown performances.

Lorenzo Manganelli's condition is now stable, he is out of mortal danger. 

Let's hope that those who regret the loss of the accident's fatal victim are going to be able to cope with that severe and hard time as well as that Manganelli is going to regain his feet very soon. 

partial source: La Nazione

Hazard kicks ball-boy and is sent off

In Wednesday's English League Cup semifinal between Swansea City of Wales and Chelsea London of England, the Champions League winners' Eden Hazard was sent off for committing a violent conduct against a ball-boy.

Referee Chris Foy and Assistant Referee Simon Bennett took this decision based on the Laws of the Game which define violent offences against third parties as to be penalized with a straight red card:

"A player who commits a cautionable or sending-off offence, either on or off
the field of play, whether directed towards an opponent, a team-mate, the
referee, an assistant referee or any other person, is disciplined according to the nature of the offence committed."

In the meantime, Hazard has publicly apologized for his infringement and furthermore asked the ball-boy to be excused for that. Chelsea lost the encounter on aggregate (0:2) and has therefore failed to qualify for the League Cup final.

IFFHS honours Pedro Proença as the World's Best Referee 2012

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) has recently published its annual ranking of international match officials. For the past year 2012, Portugal's Pedro Proença has been honoured as the World's Best Referee.

Pedro Proença Oliveira Alves Garcia (Portugal) (c) kicker

Having been in charge of both UEFA Champions League and UEFA EURO 2012 final in Munich and Kyiv respectively, this choice does not pose a huge surprise. Cüneyt Çakır (Turkey) and Howard Webb (England) have come second and third place. 

In addition, two countries are represented twice, since Howard Webb and Mark Clattenburg (England) as well as Wolfgang Stark and Felix Brych (Germany) are included in the list.

Unfortunately, IFFHS' ranking again underlines its high extent of labouring under a fundamental misapprehension: although the headline "World's Best Referee" arouses the impression that this ranking would pose a Worldranking, the ranking itself cannot hold this promise:

1.   Pedro Proença - Portugal - 174 points (UEFA)

2.   Cüneyt Çakır - Turkey - 73 points (UEFA)

3.   Howard Webb - England - 72 points (UEFA)

4.   Viktor Kassai - Hungary - 50 points (UEFA)

5.   Wolfgang Stark - Germany - 40 points (UEFA)

6.   Ravshan Irmatov - Uzbekistan - 35 points (AFC)

7.   Damir Skomina - Slovenia - 26 points (UEFA)

8.   Wilmar Roldán - Colombia - 20 points (CONMEBOL)

9.   Felix Brych - Germany - 15 points (UEFA)

10. Stéphane Lannoy - France - 13 points (UEFA)

 ~   Nicola Rizzoli - Italy - 13 points (UEFA)

12. Milorad Mažić - Serbia - 11 points (UEFA)

13. Carlos Velasco Carballo - Spain - 8 points (UEFA)

14. Mark Clattenburg - England - 6 points (UEFA)

15. Carlos Vera - Ecuador - 5 points (CONMEBOL)

Gözübüyük and his way to teach coaches respect

Respecting the referee and his decisions means more than the officials' mere badge they e.g. wear on their upper arms in UEFA matches...doesn't it?

Obviously, FIFA referee Serdar Gözübüyük of the Netherlands has found his own method to exhort crazed coaches respect.

Dutch linesman bludgeoned to death

A Dutch man has died after being kicked and punched by a group of teenage football players for whom he acted as linesman in a Sunday league match. Richard Nieuwenhuizen, 41, collapsed and was taken to hospital hours after he was beaten by three players from Amsterdam club Nieuw Sloten. He died on Monday.

He had been officiating for Buitenboys club, in the town of Almere, and one of his own sons had been playing. Three teenagers, aged between 15 and 16, have reportedly been arrested.

Buitenboys club chairman Marcel Oost said Mr Nieuwenhuizen, 41, officiated as linesman for the team every week. "He enjoyed doing it. He was a real football man; he was always here," he told national broadcaster NOS. 

News of his death sparked shock in sporting circles around the Netherlands. The Dutch minister for sports, Edith Schippers, said: "It is absolutely terrible that something like this can happen on a Dutch sports field". Anton Binnenmars, of the Royal Netherlands Football Association, described it as "too crazy for words that somebody involved in a sporting hobby becomes a victim of this kind of aggression".

Nieuw Sloten said it was "deeply shocked" by what had happened, and intended to ban for life the players found to be responsible, had pulled their team from the league and temporarily suspended all its operations as a club. "Violence should not be on the football fields," it said.

source: BBC

One of many good reasons to become a referee

Despite all those challenges you encounter as a referee on the pitch, that is connected with a high level of responsibility and formation of your character, a further significant reason to become a referee certainly is that you are an immediate part of the game, which allows you to follow goals like that closer than everybody else out there, a goal of which you dream in your smartest dreams and that should be honoured with kind of award like "Best Goal of the Century" if you ask me.

I am envious of Frank Andas and Svein Oddvar Moen, the assistant referee and referee in the match between Sweden and England.

Clattenburg under the FA's spotlight

The FA has confirmed it has begun an investigation following allegations put forward after yesterday's Premier League top clash between Chelsea London and Manchester United (2-3) that accused FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg to have issued "inappropiate" statements against Chelsea's John Mikel and Juan Mata.

Mark Clattenburg (r.), facing severe allegations (c) Spox.com

After the match, Chelsea issued an official complaint to the Premier League, stating Clattenburg had made racial comments to two of their players. Apart from the statement given today about the started investigation, the FA has not issued any further comment on the case.

Clattenburg's assistants Mick McDonough and Simon Long are said to be potential witnesses, since they could have got the comments via the wire technique deployed by the officials.

In addition, the officials' performance has been generally criticized after the match, since Clattenburg controversially sent Fernando Torres off for an alleged dive despite a clear contact and as the decisive 2-3 goal followed a clear offside position.

Mark Clattenburg currently joins UEFA Elite Group and is on the short list for 2014 FIFA World Cup, as part of which he was already in charge of a U-20 World Cup and the final of 2012 Olympic Games in his mother country.

A quite similar case occurred in France's Ligue 1 last year, too.

Christian Fischer violently attacked by Benfica's Luisao

A friendly match between Benfica and Fortuna Düsseldorf was abandoned in the 39th minute on Saturday when the referee was knocked to the ground shortly after sending off a player.

Television footage showed Benfica captain Luisao protesting referee Christian Fischer's decision to eject teammate Javi Garcia. Brazilian international Luisao then appeared to shove Fischer.

Luisao approached the referee in a menacing manner and sent him falling backwards, where he lay for several seconds apparently unconscious before coming back to his senses after players and linesmen called for a doctor.

Fischer got back to his feet and decided to abandon the game.

Fortuna returned to play a further 45 minutes without their Portuguese opponents, splitting their squad into two sides of 11 men to ensure the fans at the Düsseldorf Arena were given some value for their money.

Speaking to Rheinische Post, Fortuna's chairman Peter Frymuth explained: "The ref was attacked and had to be treated by our doctors inside the locker room. Because of that attack the game was abandoned. I am shocked. I have been in football for many years and have never seen anything like it. I do not understand that players from a team with the reputation of Benfica, a team that play in the Champions League, have such an attitude. Let's get help from the German federation and talk with UEFA about Luisao and about what other Benfica players did. I hope they are severely punished. This should have been a day of celebration for us, but now it has becoming a depressing affair. We are sick at heart." Frymuth added that Fortuna Dusseldorf would approach UEFA over the event.
Benfica have stated on their official website that the match had been abandoned due to a "regrettable theatre" by the German referee. Portuguese newspapers are fearing Luisao's suspension by UEFA for two months.
 

Christian Fischer, a 2nd Bundesliga referee from Hemer who normally accompanies Thorsten Kinhöfer as assistant referee in Bundesliga, has officially informed against Luisao in the meantime.

sources: RP, FOX, ESPN

Jack Taylor has passed away

England, FIFA and surely the whole world of football (refereeing) are in deep mourning for Jack Taylor, referee of Munich's 1974 World Cup final between Western Germany and the Netherlands, who has passed away yesterday. 

Having refereed more than a thousand league matches in England and more than 100 international matches, he entered FIFA Hall of Fame in 1999. Born in Wolverhampton in 1930, Taylor is until today one of ten English officials having ever been in charge of a World Cup final.

David Elleray, Chairman of The FA Referees’ Committee, said: "The refereeing world is desperately sad to hear of Jack Taylor’s death. Jack was the third Englishman to referee a World Cup Final when in 1974 he officiated in the Final between Germany and Holland, awarding a penalty against the Germans before they had touched the ball."

Even Howard Webb emphasized his sorrow and described Taylor as a "true gentleman". Furthermore, he stated that Taylor had been an inspiration for him and many thousands of referees in England and across the world. 

Jack (actually John Keith) Taylor died at his Shropshire home on 27 July.

Babak Rafati has decided to retire

(c) KICKER

Former German FIFA referee Babak Rafati from Hannover has announced his final retirement after his psychological illness which led to a suicide attempt prior to a Bundesliga match in November 2011.

DFB stated that they were "sad about having lost one of their best referees", even though they "certainly understood his reasons".

Since 2005, the banker has been in charge of 84 Bundesliga matches. Felix Zwayer and Marco Fritz had replaced him on the FIFA list at the start of 2012.