Refereeing abroad

[Xavier]

Hi,

I have heard about opportunities to referee games abroad. Has anyone ever done it and would they recommend it? What is the language barrier like? And what is the best way of going abouts getting this opportunity?

Thanks

 

[Runner Ref]

Depends if you're looking to move somewhere permanently, or just want to give referring abroad a brief try.

If the latter, I'd recommend this- https://refereeabroad.com/

 

[RefereeX]

What is the language barrier like?

Not as bad as you might expect. Usually easy to get your message across with body language and hand gestures, plus many understand the odd word of English even if not fluent.

I recall refereeing a Portuguese under 16s team and going over to one of the goalkeepers and saying in very slow, very clear English, while gesturing to his top and basically almost speaking to him like he's thick 'do you have a different colour, because you are orange, and they are orange'?

He responded, almost more fluently than I can speak 'yeah man, I'll go change it now'.

I felt a bit silly.

 

[one]

Did he also almost speak like you are thick?
Would be very tempting

 

[NOVARef]

I once was AR for a center referee who spoke Spanish and spoke hardly any English....and I don't speak any Spanish. The match went fine until he called a penalty and there wasn't a penalty spot and he was trying to ask me how far away the penalty mark should be. I had no idea what he was trying to ask me at first, so it was very awkward and it added a lot confusion to the situation, but we worked it out and the rest of the game went smoothly.

 

[Runner Ref]

I once was AR for a center referee who spoke Spanish and spoke hardly any English....and I don't speak any Spanish. The match went fine until he called a penalty and there wasn't a penalty spot and he was trying to ask me how far away the penalty mark should be. I had no idea what he was trying to ask me at first, so it was very awkward and it added a lot confusion to the situation, but we worked it out and the rest of the game went smoothly.

They didn't know where the pen spot should be?!

 

[JamesL]

They didn't know where the pen spot should be?!

Id have tried to communicate that he could get one from over there by the long stands...

 

[Runner Ref]

I bet you even @Archer knows where the pen spot should be

 

[one]

Are you talking dirty again @Runner Ref ?