Player Updates Brazil’s captain Lucas who was part of the Group D preview is injured and has been replaced by Marcone. Gambia’s Abdourahman Dampha has replaced by Ken Jammeh.
Officials Sent Home Media release issued by FIFA – “On 26 June 2007, the referees selected to officiate matches during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 had, as usual for FIFA competitions, a fitness test to evaluate their speed and endurance. Their performances confirmed their excellent physical condition during this very demanding exercise.
Jerome Damon (RSA), Enock Molefe (RSA), Siphiwo Jibiliza (RSA); Hector Baldassi(ARG), Ricardo Casas (ARG), Walter Velaz (ARG); Leonardo Gaciba (BRA), Altemir Hausmann,(BRA), Roberto Braatz (BRA), were all sent home as one in each trio failed the test.
In one of the steps FIFA has taken to significantly improve refereeing standards, instructions issued to the referees prior to the competition made it clear that entire trios would be forced out of the competition if any of their members failed the fitness test. Consequently, FIFA will replace the departed referees with 3 FIFA Canadian referees who will be acting as 4th officials during this tournament; Steven Depiero (CAN), Silviu Petrescu, (CAN), and Paul Ward (CAN)”.
Officials for first 12 Games Barclay’s Premiership referee Howard Webb will be in charge of the opening game (Poland vs. Brazil) of the tournament. Webb will officiate along with two other Premiership officials Darren Cann (the assistant referee at the centre of the Arsenal Carling Cup Final controversy) and Michael Mullarkey.
The USA opener against South Korea will be officiated by Joel Aguilar (El Salvador) assisted by Roberto Giron (Honduras) and Daniel Williamson (Panama). An all-Spanish crew has been allotted Canada’s opening game against Chile. Mallenco Undiano, Fermin Matrinez and Juan Carlos Jimenez Yuste will take charge.
An USA crew consisting of Terry Vaughn, Chris Strickland and George Gansner with Canadian Silviu Petrescu have drawn the Jordan vs. Zambia game on Sunday in Burnaby.
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