Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Prendergast
JAMAICA'S MOST decorated referee, Peter Prendergast, has been chosen as one of 23 referees from 23 countries who will officiate at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals in Germany later this year.
The announcement was made yesterday at a FIFA Referees Committee meeting in Zurich and sees the island's top official the only Caribbean referee selected to take part in this year's event.
This will be the second World Cup Finals appearance for Prendergast, who was officially certified in 1994 by FIFA. He made his World Cup debut in 2004, where he officiated in games featuring Brazil vs Belgium, Sweden vs Argentina, Russia vs Tunisia and the Republic of Ireland vs Cameroon.
Prendergast was proud of the achievement and looked forward to once again be taking part in sports' premier event.
"I'm elated at this point, a lot of work was put into it. To be recognised as one of the top 23 referees in the world is a privilege and I look forward to the event," he said.
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Crenston Boxhill, congratulated Prendergast via a press note, who is also the president of the Jamaica Football Referees Association (JFRA) on the achievement.
Prendergast was shortlisted from a total of 44 prospective match officials.
OVERALL PERFORMANCE
In arriving at their final decision, the committee looked at performances during FIFA competitions, continental championships and national leagues over the past 18 months. Their overall performances at two FIFA workshops held in Frankfurt were also taken into account.
The officials were subject to close scrutiny from the 12th to 16th February 2005 and again from the 21st to 25th March 2006. At the second workshop, they underwent comprehensive medical checks as well as a fitness test. In addition, they all completed a psychological test, and members of the FIFA Referees Committee held interviews with the candidate referees.
