World Cup Referees Get Warning From Blatter

Sepp Blatter has warned the World Cup referees that they are not irreplaceable at the tournament if their performances are not up to scratch.

The FIFA president has made it clear to all 23 match officials who will be taking part in Germany in the summer that although they can make an error, any regarding the protection of the players will not be tolerated and they could face being moved to a different level of the refereeing structure.

FIFA have presented the 23 with official instructions contained in an eight-point list of the worst offences to crack down on, including diving, elbowing, over-the-top tackles, mass dissent and time-wasting and are asking all referees, officials and players involved in the tournament to sign a pledge not to bet on any games.

Blatter said: “There will be special instructions to all the referees, linesmen, players, coaches and official delegations in the World Cup.

“They will have to sign a paper saying that they will never, themselves or their families, be involved in betting on the World Cup or any other problems.”