The refereeing at the 2013 CAN in South Africa faced criticism and was acknowledged to have experienced several slip-ups. The president of the Central Commission of Referees at the Malagasy Football Federation provided insights into the challenges faced by referees in the tournament. According to the president, the referees at the CAN were relatively young, and their inexperience sometimes became evident.
He explained that the referees were undergoing a rejuvenation process, with young officials selected to officiate in major tournaments like the CAN. The aim was to have physically fit referees capable of keeping up with the fast-paced matches. However, due to their youth, these referees lacked experience, making them prone to making errors and potentially feeling stage fright.
The president emphasized that the issue was more of a moral challenge than a technical one. Referees receive training and instructions from FIFA and CAF before each competition, ensuring they are technically competent. However, individual personalities and character differences can lead to variations in decision-making, such as differing approaches to sanctions for specific offenses.
He called for patience, noting that as these young referees gain more experience by officiating in significant matches, they would naturally improve. With increased experience, referees would develop greater self-confidence, and occasional mistakes, which are inherent to human nature, would become less frequent over time.
