Football |12 August 2025

The course participants, instructors and SFF officials in a souvenir photo (Photo: Contributed)

Elite Fifa referees gear up for new season

Twenty Seychelles Football Federation elite Fédération internationale de Football Association referees are currently attending a one-week training to prepare for the impending start of the new 2025-2026 season.

The Fédération internationale de Football Association (Fifa) Member Association (MA) Referees Course was officially opened yesterday morning by the vice-president of the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF), Dolor Ernesta.

The course, containing both physical and technical training, is being conducted by Fifa instructors Maroua Hannachi (physical) from Tunisia and Seychellois Jason Damoo (technical).

Ms Hannachi is a Fifa fitness instructor involved in the development of referees. She has played a significant role in training and mentoring young referees across various Fifa programmes.

Several local instructors will also be making presentations during the week training. They are Wason Joubert, Militna Marie and Jean-Clause Labrosse for technical, Gilbert Lista and Joseph Adam physical.

In his opening address, Mr Ernesta applauded the fact that so many local instructors will be making presentations in the training. This is remarkable and highlights the progress being made in refereeing, he said, adding that in many African countries, the instructors sent by Fifa for such courses are all foreigners.

“Despite the numerous challenges referees are facing, like everywhere else, I can say that this is not stopping us from progressing,” he said.

Mr Ernesta thanked Fifa for considering the training of referees as one of its top priorities.

The Fifa MA Referees Course is crucial for improving the quality and consistency of refereeing within a football federation or association. It provides training and development for referees, ensuring they stay updated on the latest Laws of the Game and can officiate matches effectively and fairly. This ultimately contributes to the overall integrity and quality of football in the country.

The course equips referees with the necessary knowledge of the Laws of the Game, practical skills for officiating, and fitness training, allowing them to perform their duties effectively.

By standardising training and interpretation of the rules, the course promotes consistency in refereeing decisions, which is vital for fair play and player confidence.

Mr Ernesta said that when referees aligned their skills with international standards, this prepared them for higher-level competitions and potentially opening doors to international opportunities.

“Well-trained referees are better equipped to make accurate and fair decisions on the field, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of the game,” he said.

The course includes both theoretical and practical sessions, ensuring a well-rounded development of referees.

Mr Ernesta took the opportunity to thank the six local young referees who officiated at the just ended Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l'Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games, particularly the quartet of Rio Dubignon (main referee), linesmen Hazerone Bistoquet and Jalil Banane and fourth official Esthel Bareau who refereed the boys’ final last Saturday which Renion won 2-1over Madagascar.

In fact the SFF provided six young referees for the CJSOI football competition with the two other being Liandro Labiche and Kinane Lemielle

“You did a great job,” he said. “Thank you all for your contribution to help develop youth football in the region.”

Also attending the opening ceremony yesterday was SFF general secretary Denis Rose, the SFF executive committee liaison officer for referees Lewis Madeline and executive committee members Michael Delpech, Wilson Nancy and Terry Chang-Tak Hue.

Contributed