Special Feature - Mark Shield
Mark Shield has been chosen to officiate at his second FIFA World Cup Finals, adding another milestone for Australian referees.
www.footballaustralia.com.au spoke to Mark about the appointment and what he feels may lay ahead for him at Germany 2006.
What was your general feeling in terms of being appointed to the World Cup in Germany 2006?
I was extremely excited to receive the news of my appointment. All my family were at my house waiting to hear the news, so when the email came through that Friday night there were certainly lots of celebrations.
Were you confident you would be there again, after experiencing it four years ago in Korea/Japan?
The selection process for this World Cup was much different this time. I knew that my past experience may have been of some benefit, but you never really know until the appointment comes through.
What did the seminar conducted by FIFA in March, entail?
The seminar in Frankfurt in March was very intense. All 44 candidates were put through rounds of extensive testing and interviews including medical, fitness, laws of the game and even psychological tests. FIFA has raised the bar in terms of the fitness requirements and the tests have become more intensive than ever before.
Did it give you an insight that you may be picked for Germany?
No insight at all. They kept the selections very confidential right up until the announcement.
At Japan 2002 you were the youngest referee and as we understand it, you will again be the youngest referee in Germany. How much more experience have you gained in the last four years?
In Korea/Japan I was the youngest and probably the least experienced. So the whole experience of that World Cup was invaluable, particularly on how to deal with pressure. Since the last cup I have refereed a number of international games and tournaments and each time you learn something new and apply it to your game.
Are you a better referee since 2002?
I would like to think so. I think every referee strives to become better.
How have things changed in terms of refereeing for Germany 2006?
There are a few things that have changed since last time. For the first time at a World Cup referees and assistant referees will work as a trio from either the same country or same confederation. The trio would have worked together regularly in the domestic and international competitions and games. Also referees will be using communication devices similar to what they use in the NRL and Super 14 matches which mean the referees and his assistant referees/4th Official will be able to communicate with each other. Additionally only 23 referees have been chosen as opposed to 36 referees for Korea/Japan, so whilst there is a lot more pressure on those referees to perform, each referee will be working more regularly.
Can you give us an insight into your role in being part of the 23 man panel?
Each referee will be required to referee matches and also perform the 4th Official-s duties. However the assistant referees will only work on matches with their designated referees. We train everyday and have match preparation training the day before matches and match recovery training the day after.
Is there any new rules for Germany that we need to be aware of?
As for Germany, we will receive our tournament instructions when we arrive, but so far I believe that FIFA want the referees to clamp down on offences such as elbowing, brutal tackles, shirt pulling and simulation.
There is obviously a lot at stake at the World Cup finals and referees are the least favourite person of just about everyone at the ground. How do you handle the pressure of that situation?
For me the most important thing for the referee to do is remember that despite the amount of people watching or the importance of the match, at the end of the day it is the blue team verses the red team. The same type of fouls happen in World Cup Finals as they do in a local 2nd division match. It is just there are a lot more people there to yell at you if you made a mistake.
What-s the one rule that you have found most players and spectators have difficulty with? Is there an easy way to explain it from a referee-s perspective?
I think with out a doubt the most difficult rule/interpretation for players and spectators is the offside rule. The easiest way to describe the interpretation of the offside rule from a referees perspective is; a player is penalised for being in an offside position when he is closer to the opponents goal line than the second last defender when the ball is played by a team mate AND is interfering with play or the defender and gaining an advantage from being in that position. Spectators get confused as they may see a player in an offside position but he may not be interfering with play or the defender or gaining an advantage. It is not a offence simply being in an offside position.
Tell us a little bit about the Trinidad & Tobago play-off game? Did Dwight Yorke try to be your best buddy out there, considering you had refereed him a few times in the Hyundai A-League?
The World Cup Qualifying match in T&T was an awesome experience. From a refereeing perspective, the game went exceptionally well for the Australian refereeing team. As for Dwight, I only saw him on the pitch prior to the kick off and we said hello and that was it. We were both there to do a very important job- him as a player and us as referees.
Given that the Hyundai A-League season finished in March, where you refereed the grand final, how have you been keeping in shape for the finals?
Obviously it is extremely important to keep at the top level of fitness in the lead up to the World Cup Finals so I have been training 5/6 days a week for about an hour each time plus I have been refereeing some local matches in Brisbane to keep match fit.
How did you rate the inaugural season of the Hyundai A-League from a refereeing perspective?
The opening season of the A-league was a tremendous success not only for the players, spectators and in terms of the profile of the A-league itself, but also from a referees perspective. The games were very intense and sometimes difficult to referee. The grand final was a tremendous finale to the first season and it is only going to get better as time goes on.
Finally, and we are down to the most important question, do you think yourself and Graham Poll can do better in the table soccer tournament then last time, seeing that Collina and Pentegast will no longer be a formidable team?
Unfortunately, table soccer was the only winner that day and I am sorry to say that I doubt you are going to see first class table soccer being played this time. Hopefully Graham has been training or we are in real trouble……