International referees to the Gothia Cup 2012
Prior to the Gothia Cup 2012 tournament, management look beyond Sweden's borders to recruit new referees for the tournament. It is a part of the effort each year to offer the absolute best experience for all participating young people, both on and off the field. – We have had a referee exchange with Norway for a number of years, which has been very successful. Now we take another step and invite the most qualified referees from other countries in Europe, says Lena Ronnefors, tournament director of the Gothia Cup.
When Gothia Cup 2012 kicks off on the 15th of July, it is with more international referees than ever before. Out of more than 400 referees, almost ten percent will be from outside Sweden.
– It is obvious that the world's largest and most international youth football tournament should be the tournament with the best referees. Therefore we look abroad for this year's tournament to recruit new referees to the Gothia Cup 2012. We expect shortly to have everything ready with about 15 referees from Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic and Spain, says Lena Ronnefors.
Gothia Cup is not only the world's biggest football tournament for young people. Since 2007, the tournament is officially sanctioned by FIFA as The World Youth Cup. Last year, some 1570 teams from 70 different nations participated in the tournament. Gothia Cup 2012 is played between July 15th and July 21th.
– With more international referees, we will strengthen our stated ambition to be a meeting place for everyone regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender. Here, football is the common interest to overcome differences and to create respect and understanding between people. This applies to both participants and officials, says Lena Ronnefors.
For more information:
Lena Ronnefors, Tournament Director Gothia Cup. Phone: +46 -707-88 71 10. E-mail: lena.ronnefors@gothiacup.se
Par Karlsson, Press Officer Gothia Cup. Phone: +46-708-12 27 30. E-mail: par.karlsson@gothiacup.se
www.gothiacup.se
Gothia Cup is the world's largest and most international youth football tournament that is being played every year in Gothenburg, Sweden. Gothia Cup was first held in 1975 and today over 35 000 players in 1570 teams from 70 different nations from around the world participates in the tournament. In 2007 Gothia Cup was named by FIFA as The World Youth Cup and in 2010 the tournament was appointed one of the 12 largest Swedish leadership achievements of modern times by the Swedish Centre of Commerce. SKF is the main partner of the Gothia Cup.
