Portuguese referees are allowed to remain active until the age of 50, according to the new refereeing regulations of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), the president of the body’s Arbitration Council (CA) confirmed to Lusa on Monday.
“The referees today have a professional lifespan that extends over several years, in fact the example of what happens to every athlete. That anyone with physical and technical conditions can continue to contribute,” said José Fontelas Gomes, speaking to Lusa.
The current age limit for football referees is set at 45 and can be extended to 48 if the FPF CA agrees. With the regulations presented, the career of referees can now be extended by another two years.
“The measure retains its exceptional character and will require CA approval, provided the referee is under 50 years of age on July 1 of the calendar year of the start of the season in question,” said an official Lusa source. of the FPF, emphasizing that “in addition to this requirement, the referee must be in full physical condition and have a positive performance rating, appropriate to the competitive requirements”.
The chairman of the board of the FPF praised the benefits of this measure, given “the vast experience gained and the knowledge of the game that comes from it”.
Fontelas Gomes also stressed that this extension “depends, of course, on the will of the referee and the assessment that the Council will make of the referee’s performance and physical level”.
This possibility, which has already entered into force in Italy, applies to referees of all categories.
Rui Costa, who turns 47 in June, and Manuel Mota, who turned 47 last March, are the oldest referees in the first national category.
Source: DN
