It was her first assignment at a women’s football world Cup: referee Riem Hussein speaks in a DW Interview about the VAR-Premiere their personal attendance record and equality in Sport.
DW: you have been given in France, their world Cup debut as a referee – how was it for you?
Riem Hussein: It was a great experience for me. For FIFA, this tournament has the same significance as that of men. We were prepared immediately before the world Cup in a nine-day Seminar again at this tournament. Among other things, with training games, we had to whistle yet, to work with the Video wizard, we have practiced quite intensely. The whole thing is around in such a tournament is immense, and to experience that was very impressive. With the corresponding inserts of course makes it all the more fun.
There were many rule changes and the most important tournament of all. How did you cope with that?
In theory, it was a tremendous number of innovations. My first thought was that thinking of one or the other during the game, maybe even. But it was not so. We referees should and then also the new rules from the beginning, consistently implemented. For me, all of the new rules were not even used. But I am of the opinion that this rule to do the changes to the football well, and in the spirit of the players and of the game. For example, a player in the case of a substitution, must take the shortest way to the side line, in order to increase the flow of the game and the net game time.
For the first time, Video-wizard, were used for you a Premiere.
We were trained in three training seminars in Abu Dhabi or Doha, previously working with the Video-wizard-intensive. But in a competition like the world Cup, it was for me and many other colleagues for the first Time.
How would you sum up?
Positive. The Video wizard is designed as a kind of parachute that can save me as a referee a wrong decision. In addition, the Video wizard increases for the teams and spectators, the acceptance of the measures taken, the referee’s decision. I have made the experience that the players have accepted the support of the Video wizard very good, and some bad decisions have been reduced.
Big fuss there was around the new rule that the Goalkeeper must stand at the penalty kick with only one foot, instead of two, on the line.
The rule we introduced in principle in order to help the Goalkeepers. For the Video-wizard such misconduct to the goalkeeper at the penalty spot with the video images to identify clearly. These are factual decisions, such as Offside. For the audience, a few centimeters may tolerate, for the Video wizard, the need to evaluate the process on the screen in a neutral, may play no role.
You have three world Cup games refereed Two group games and a knockout round. What remains most in your memory?
All three games in their very special way. The first game was great. It was Brazil against Jamaica in Grenoble. Full house, really like a small cauldron. Since this is the only “18,000 spectators fit” in, but it was a breathtaking atmosphere. This game was really made for me. It went back and forth, the tempo of football on both sides, both Teams wanted to win. I felt this game as a perfect introduction. In the second game, I had my personal record attendance: Almost 50,000 spectators, with a sold-out “Prince Park” in Paris. The USA, later world champion, met in Chile. That was something Special, because my family was in the stadium, two of my siblings have travelled. To whistle in the third use is a K. o. game, the next round [of Norway V Australia, note. d. Red.], it went for both Teams ums more to come, was of the value of the game, of course, very special to me.
Second world Cup game for Riem Hussein, the USA against Chile in Paris: “My personal attendance record”
Germany is already eliminated in the quarter-finals. Didn’t have to increase your Chance to whistle a game?
After the second round of the FIFA has reduced the group of Assets, which were still in the tournament, more than half. It was determined to take into account whether the own country was still involved in the tournament or not. Personally, I’m with my tournament very satisfied, even if I belonged to the group that had to travel back home. I was able to pass three challenging and awesome games and have received from the FIFA, but also from Germany, a very positive Feedback. This tailwind, I would like to use for my upcoming tasks.
You think it would be useful if a men’s world Cup women’s referee will be inside and the other way around whistle?
I think it should go in all of the game’s classes are always after power. This discussion should lead regardless of gender. If a woman meets the physical requirements, why should you may not be at such a tournament?
Test the game in September 2015 in the men’s professional football: Riem Hussein talks with Schalke’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Dr. Riem Hussein is a German Football referee of Palestinian descent, who is working as a pharmacist. Before 2005, the DFB referee, it was as a striker in the 2. League. In the case of the men, Hussein whistles for the 2015/16 season in the 3. League. Thus, it is Bibiana Steinhaus the second German referee, which is used in professional men’s football. In the women’s world Cup 2019 three matches: the group games between Brazil and Jamaica, and the United States against Chile and the match Norway against Australia headed Hussein.
The Interview was conducted by Sarah Wiertz.