World's top 44 referees competing in Germany to officiate World Cup games

IRNA - Some of the world's top 44 referees, among them Iran's Massoud Moradi, are competing in Germany for the right to officiate football matches at the upcoming 2006 World Cup, the Frankfurt-based World Cup Organizing Committee announced on its website on Thursday.

Attending a FIFA seminar near Frankfurt, the potential World Cup referees are required to give a test about their knowledge of the football rules as well as an English proficiency test.

Furthermore they have to undergo a series of physical fitness and and special stress examinations.

The FIFA referee commission will pick the 30 referee finalists for the 2006 World Cup on March 31.

For the first time ever, FIFA has decided to use trios of referees and two assistants from the same country, or at least at the same confederation and with a common language.

The 2006 World Cup will take place in 12 German cities from June 9 through July 9.