Referee Rafshan Irmatov: "During match I differentiate teams only by color of their uniforms"

We were able to have an interview with Rafshan Irmatov in Astana where he came with his team to serve the match between Kazakhstan and Oman.

What influenced your decision to become a referee?

Like many others I started playing soccer at age of 7. At 19 I injured my ankle too seriously to continue playing. My father was a referee, he served the USSR championship matches and he advised me to turn my attention into refereeing matches. Following his advice I started my career.

In 2003 when I was 25 I was admitted to the FIFA and was trusted to referee matches of the Junior World Championship under 17. In 2007 in Canada I already worked at championship under 20. Next year I was given more credits to referee the final match at the Club World Championship between the English MU and the Columbian Quito in Yemen. In total before this World Cup I had served 6 major soccer tournaments.

When did you knowthat you would work at World Cup in South Africa?

I found out about it in Tashkent on February 10 of this year when the FIFA made the decision. It should be mentioned that it was preceded by hard work. We were so emotional at the moment; there were even tears of joy.

Your work was positively appraised at the World Cup. Have you heard of any different opinions?

Honestly speaking we never dreamt about working at five World Cup matches, we thought about one game or two but not about five. Thank Heaven we had no major breaks during those matches and the teams were satisfied with our work. Improving from game to game we gained confidence despite the fact that we felt great pressure of the responsibility. In whole I did not hear any reproaches.

Which match was emotionally the toughest in South Africa?

This World Cup was like the whole unit for us. It is difficult to place emphasis on something now but it is easy to say that the whole event was a mesmerizing moment. I will remember this World Cup forever. It was just great.

We heard that the World Cup was not so tiring for you as the pressure from journalists.

Yes, it is true but it was even pleasant in some regard.

How many languages do you speak?

Not mentioning Russian and Uzbek, I speak English and Spanish a little bit.

Do you believe that temper of a referee can have an impact on his decision and as a result on the match?

I cannot speak for everybody. People are different. When I am getting ready for a match I choose different tactical decisions for the game. I also can say that at the 3^rd-5^th minute of the game it becomes obvious how teams are planning to play. The way they play also depends on us partially. Each game is different, every time it is new, new moments, new attitudes of the players, etc.

Does the presence of superstars in the teams you referee make any difference to you?

No. It does not make any difference to me. Working at the match I do not pay attention where the teams are from and how they play. I am not interested in the opinions of superstars about my decisions. During a match I differentiate the teams only by color of their uniforms and I care only about doing my work at a high level. This is the thing that matters for me.

What is the way you come to yourself after tough matches?

I have absolutely no problems with it because it is my profession; it is what I like to do. I have been in this sport since I was 7. I am in my element when I am on the field and contrariwise when I am not on field for a long time I feel great need in it and miss it.

Do you analyze your mistakes, breaks?

I am never fully satisfied with the work I have done. I analyze whatever was done after match. Watching the match on TV is a must-do task after the game. We analyze every moment from first to last minute of the game. Every foul, every whistle is analyzed. Even in case of a right decision we see if we were at right positions and had a clear view.

How many kilometers do you cover during a match?

Speaking about this World Cup matches I averaged 16 km. At the opening match between Mexico and Republic of South Africa I covered the distance of 17 kilometers. There are different games; mostly it depends on the pace of the match. There are matches that are all about running, contacts and physical play and there are defensive-mined teams that play likewise style.

Did you think of serving a final match of the World Cup?

I fully realized that I would not be allowed to work at that match at my age. It does not mean that it is because of the lack of trust to me; I was entrusted to work at the opening match and semi-finals. The point is that when a referee has served a final match there is nothing more left for him to achieve and desire and I still have a long way to improve.

The World Cup of this year was controversial in some regard. A lot was said about video replays and more referees serving the match. What is your opinion about it?

Innovations in soccer it is the exclusive right of the FIFA. It is all up to this Organization.

My part of a good game is making no mistakes while judging the match. I have no right to talk about it. Every game of the Championship was in spotlight of 32 cameras. A referee sees the moment from one or the other angle but he has to make a right decision in a second. Competing with different kinds of modern techniques a human is doomed to fail. A human cannot compete with computer but if we had referees on the goal line additionally we would be able to reduce the amount of mistakes to minimum.

What is your opinion of Astana-Arena stadium?

I like a lot this stadium, its modern design and facilities. Briefly speaking it was pleasure for me to work here.

Would you mind sharing with us your plans?

First of all we have to continue our work. Whatever we have achieved it is not the last we wanted to achieve. South African World Cup has already gone down to history. Next spot is next World Cup of 2014 and more important games at it.

Thank you very much for the interview!