FIFA has shortlist of 44 referees for 2006 World Cup
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-26 09:20

FRANKFURT, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Forty-four referees remain in contention for around 30 places at the 2006 World Cup, FIFA announced on Tuesday.

The names of the referees still in the running to officiate at the tournament, as well as those of 111 assistant referees being considered, will be published in the coming days, soccer's world governing body said.

A total of 46 referees, plus assistants, gathered in Frankfurt in February this year for a preliminary workshop.

FIFA will cut that list again to around 30 referees for the tournament, which features 64 matches at 12 venues in Germany from June 9 to July 9.

The first get-together in Frankfurt was overshadowed by the match-fixing scandal centred around Robert Hoyzer, who is currently on trial along with five other men, including one other referee, in Berlin.

The second workshop will take place from March 22 to 25, again in Frankfurt. The referees will have medical and psychological check-ups, tests on their knowledge of football's laws and interviews with the Referees Committee.