My sadness has reached new heights today, being socially deprived I've prioritised my day on studying each and every referee ahead of the World Cup in South Africa, 30 men have been shortlisted, and here is how they line-up:
Olegario Benquerenca, Portugal
Age: 40
The ex-politician began his refereeing career in 1995, officiating at the highest level for many years. This is Benquerenca's first world cup however, with his only previous international tournament based experience coming in the U17 and U20 tournaments in 2007 and 2009 respectively. The most recent big-name game he reffed was the Champions League semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona, giving 39 free-kicks throughout the course of the game and issueing 7 yellow-cards. Mr. Benquerenca refereed 4 World Cup 2010 qualifying games, issueing 16 yellow cards over the 4 games, and 1 penalty.
Massimo Busacca, Switzerland
Age: 41
Beginning his career in 1990, Massimo Busacca has reffed at the highest level for many years, refereeing in the Champions League since 2002, officiating the semi-final of the tournament in 2008, and the final of the tournament between Barcelona and Manchester United in 2009. Busacca has previous World Cup experience, refereeing 3 games in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Busacca officiated 4 of the World Cup 2010 qualifiers, giving 8 yellow cards and 1 red card.
Franck De Bleecker, Belgium
Age: 44
De Bleecker, like Busacca boasts previous World Cup experience from the 2006 tournament in Germany. He reffed 4 games in the tournament, including England's Second round tie with Ecuador, in which 3 England players were booked, Paul Robinson, Jamie Carragher and John Terry. He issed 19 yellow cards over the 4 games. De Bleecker also took charge of the Semi-final of Euro 2008 between Spain and Russia, and other notable games including the 2009 Super Cup between Barcelona and Shakhtar Donesk, andhe has reffed a host of Champions League games, including 2 semi-finals.
Martin Hansson, Sweden
Age: 39
The firefighter is without a doubt one of the more controversial names to be officiating in this tournament, having being the man responsible for Republic of Ireland's failure to qualify for the tournament having failed to spot a hand-ball by Thierry Henry in the build-up to France's decisive winning goal. Hansson is a regular referee in Champions League and Europa League ties, and also has a Confederations Cup final on his CV. Hansson's only previous World Cup experience comes in the U17 and U20 tournaments in 2003 and 2007.
Viktor Kassai, Hungary
Age: 34
Like Hansson, Viktor Kassai also has limited experience at World Cup level, with his only previous experience coming in the U20 tournament in Canada in 2008. Kassai has previously reached Euro 2008 qualifying ties and a selection of Champions League group games.
Stephane Lannoy, France
Age: 40
Lannoy turned professional in 1998, and has reffed at International level for the last 4 years. This will be Lannoy's first experience of the World Cup tournament stage, having previously only reffed in an European U21 championship and as a 4th official at Euro 2008. Lannoy has reffed a selection of Champions League games, starting with a group match in 2007. His most recent Champions League game was the quarter-final between CSKA Moscow and Inter Milan, a game in which Inter Milan won 0-1. Lannoy issued 4 yellow cards and 1 red card in the game. Lanny officiated 3 World Cup 2010 qualifying matches, issueing 13 yellows cards and 0 red cards over the games.
Roberto Rosetti, Italy
Aged: 42
One of the more recognised names going to the tournament, the strict and direct Rosetti will be going to his second World Cup following on from Germany 2006. Rosetti reffed 4 group games at Germany 06', issueing 16 yellow cards and 1 red. Rosetti also reffed 4 World Cup 2010 qualifiers, issueing 17 yellow cards and 3 red cards. It's fair to say he could prove to the " card happy chappy " at this years tournament. Rosetti has reffed a host of top Champions League games dating from 2005 onwards, and a number of Europa League and Confederations Cup ties.
Wolfgang Stark, Germany
Age: 40
Turning professional in 1999, Stark has refereed a host of top games, including Champions League games from 2001, most notable the semi-final in the 2008-09 season between Barcelona and Chelsea. Stark has never reffed at the World Cup tournament itself, but has taken charge of qualifying games from 2002, 2006 and most recently 2010. He refereed 4 2010 qualifiers, issueing 16 yellow cards and 1 red card. Stark is a bank employee, and his hobbies include Motorbikes and Ice Hockey.
Alberto Undiano Mallenco, Spain
Age: 37
Mallenco, the only referee reprensenting Spain at this years World Cup turned professional in 2004. Mallenco has reffed a host of different Champions League and Europa League games dating from 2007, however, his only experience at World Cup level came in the 2010 qualifiers, where he officiated 3 games, including England's 5-1 demolition of Croatia, issueing 5 yellow cards and 0 red cards over the games. Possibly one of the more lenient refs at this years tournament.
Howard Webb, England
Age: 38
Regarded by many as the best referee in England, Webb will be England's only representative at this years tournament. Webb has been involved in refereeing since his early 20's, but become a FIFA listed referee in 2005. He officiated his first international match in 2005, a 1-1 draw between Northern Ireland and Portugal. Webb has many notable games on his CV, including the finals of the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. He was also England's representative at Euro 2008. To date, the only current England international he has dismissed is Peter Crouch, when he was playing for Southampton against Crystal Palace on 7 May 2005.
And that concludes the European representatives at this years tournament, now onto South America.....
Martin E. Vazquez Broqueta, Uruguay
Age: 41
Broqueta wasn't originally selected to be one of the 30 referee's going to the tournament, however, Carlos Amarilla and Mohamed Benouza will not be refereeing as their assistants failed the pre-World Cup fitness test, so Broqueta has been called in. Roberto Rosetti may have a rival for the title of " card happy chappy " , Broqueta reffed 3 World Cup qualifiers, issueing 19 yellow cards and 5 red cards.
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