Courtesy: The FA.com


England's Marc Birkett oversees UEFA Euro Futsal final

10 Feb 2014

Marc Birkett has continued his superb record of refereeing at the very highest level at the final of the 2014 UEFA Futsal EURO in Antwerp on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old from Derby was the third referee for the showdown between Italy and Russia, the culmination of a terrific tournament in the Belgian city - with Italy running out winners and going on to lift the trophy for the first time since 2003.

Birkett was also second referee for the Italy-Portugal semi-final on Thursday and was also appointed time-keeper for the third-fourth play-off between Portugal and Spain.

Birkett previously officiated in the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup final in Thailand and his success maintains a strong run for English refereeing.

Howard Webb, with his assistants Mike Mullarkey and Darren Cann has been selected for this summer’s FIFA World Cup while last year Sian Massey was appointed first assistant referee for the UEFA Women’s Euro final in Sweden.

Mark Clattenburg refereed the 2012 Olympic football final at Wembley Stadium with his English assistants Stephen Child and Simon Beck, while In 2010 Webb took charge of the UEFA Champions League final and the FIFA World Cup final.

David Elleray, Chairman of The FA’s Referee Committee, said: “Once again, Marc Birkett has shown that he is an outstanding Futsal official who is capable of officiating at the very highest levels of the game in England, Europe and the world.

“I know from my UEFA Referee Committee colleague at the EUROs that everyone has been hugely impressed - not just with Marc’s refereeing but his fitness, attitude, personality and conduct.

"He is an exceptional ambassador not just for English Futsal refereeing but for all of our Futsal and for The FA.”

Birkett has played a full part in this year’s competition, the ninth staging of the prestigious continental tournament.

Speaking to UEFA.com, he said: “The tournament has been a really good experience.

“We've had some very good games, some very challenging games. The organisation has been very good, the halls are spectacular and the show UEFA has been putting on for us has been brilliant."

Spain are traditionally the dominant force in European Futsal, having been crowned champions six times. Russia and Italy are both bidding to take their second title, having triumphed in 1999 and 2003 respectively.

England, coached by Pete Sturgess, were eliminated in the Main Round last March, having won through the preliminary round of a major competition for the first time with victories against Lithuania and Cyprus.

Birkett has been refereeing Futsal since 2004 and quickly progressed through the ranks in England before being selected for promotion to the FIFA list in 2008.

He referees in The FA National Futsal League, which comprises of a North, Midlands and South Division and decided to step back from refereeing eleven-a-side football, where he operated at Level 4, at the end of the 2010/11 season to concentrate solely on Futsal and to spend more time with his young family.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com