Former players who have been federated will have direct access to the refereeing career, with no age limit, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and the professional players union agreed today, through a collaboration protocol.
The protocol, signed by the FPF Arbitration Council and by the Union of Professional Soccer Players, at the Player’s Camp, in Odivelas, only provides for attendance at a 20-hour training session.
The Refereeing Council will use the facilities of the Players Academy for the training and education of referees, committing to make young referees available to participate in events organized by the Union, the protocol also mentions.
Fontelas Gomes, president of the Arbitration Council, considered the agreement “interesting for both parties.”
“On the one hand, we now have one more way to combat the lack of referees in Portuguese football, directly helping the District and Regional Associations, which now have more referees for their competitions, and, on the other hand, former players. he will have one more professional opportunity, which will allow him to continue to be linked to football, ”he said.
The president of the Players Union, Joaquim Evangelista, highlighted the “commitment to the profession of soccer referee, which needs more people interested in making a career and strengthening national teams”, as well as “support for the professional transition of players”. full of challenges and, in some areas within the sport, with demand clearly exceeding job offers”.
Source: TSF
