Football: Referee Eddie Maillet’s appointment for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa-‘It’s a dream come true and the culmination of a long journey’ |08 February 2010
Maillet has always been a hard worker and not even the news of his appointment as a
The news of his appointment as one of the 30 referees for the Fédération internationale de football association (Fifa) World Cup 2010 fell on Friday night and Maillet could not hold his joy when asked how he felt.
“I’m proud of myself and for football refereeing in Seychelles. It’s a dream come true and is the culmination of a long journey. Nine years to be precise. Although I endured a lot of insults and hardship, I persevered because I get a lot of satisfaction when I’m on the field with the two sets of players displaying good football,” Maillet told Sports Nation as he left the pitch.
Asked if he had thought of the World Cup when he made his international debut here in 2001 during the African Under-17 Championship, Maillet replied: “No, I did not. I did not know what it takes to reach there. But the idea started forming in my head as I got to referee more international matches. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far and I would like to thank all those who have helped me in one way or another.”
An experienced referee who has taken charge of 95 international matches – in the African Under-17 Championship in 2001; UEFA Under-16 Championship in 2001; four African Nations Cup in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010; AFC Asian Cup in 2007; Fifa Under-17 World Cup in 2007 and 2009; Fifa Under-20 World Cup in 2009; Fifa Confederations Cup in 2009; African Champions League final in 2003; Caf Confederation Cup finals in 2008 and 2009; and World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers – Maillet added that his preparation for the World Cup is not over.
“Getting selected for the World Cup is one thing and officiating is another. We were five African referees training for the World Cup and only four of us have been selected. Between now and the World Cup in June, the 30 referees selected will follow two training sessions in February and May. Then 25 referees will be chosen to take charge of matches and the remaining five – one from each continent – will go to South Africa as substitutes (fourth officials).
“You see, my preparation for the World Cup is not over. I’m just out of the bend ready to attack the home straight and I need to get to the finish line first because I want to officiate when I go to South Africa. I’ll be happy to take charge of at least one match,” added Maillet whose two assistants at the World Cup are Evarist Menkouande of Cameroon and Bechir Hassani of Tunisia.
The 43-year-old sees himself as a role-model for the younger referees and has called on more young Seychellois to take up refereeing.
“The other referees now have someone to look up to and I’m proud it’s me. I share my experience with them and I’m confident in their abilities. I’m sure others will follow in my footsteps. I take this opportunity to call on young Seychellois to take up refereeing. ‘If you want to succeed in football here, the only way is through refereeing’,” said Maillet.
A former defender with the Plaisance team in the 1980s, Maillet added that his nomination as a World Cup referee proves that the level of refereeing in Seychelles is good although some referees and assistants do make some foolish mistakes at times.
“This could be for many reasons –lack of concentration, inconsistency in training and personal troubles that can affect any individual before a game. There’s no big difference in the level of refereeing within the pool of local referees.
The difference lies in the referee’s approach and the effort invested in training. I would like to see more competition among us referees to up our level.
“I also believe that Seychellois football fans have a good knowledge of the game, but sometimes they are too fanatical and patriotic that they only see things in favour of their favourite teams.”
Although many tipped him as the favourite to referee the final won 1-0 by Egypt against Ghana for their third consecutive African Nations Cup win in Angola last month and a record seven titles, Maillet hasn’t lost hope and looks forward to also officiate in the Fifa World Club Championship.
“The World Cup is the summit, but I want to officiate in the Fifa World Club Championship before I say goodbye to international refereeing in 2012 as I will be 45 – the age limit for Fifa international referees. I also hope to make a fifth appearance in the African Nations Cup and why not take charge of the final. It would be the icing on the cake as I close my accomplished refereeing career.”
G. G.