Africa’s
knight of the whistle, Bakary Papa Gassama of the Gambia, will be reappearing
at the FIFA Club World Cup in Yokohama.
The
reigning CAF referee of the year is one of two referees appointed from the
continent, Zambia’s Janny Sikazwe the second making the list for this year’s
tournament.
This
year’s edition kicks off later on Thursday when host Kashima Antlers face
Auckland City of New Zealand.
An
important piece of history will be made at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016
with video assistance being used to support referees with “match-changing”
decisions for the first time in a FIFA competition.
“This
represents a big step forward in terms of testing the technology,” says Marco
van Basten, FIFA’s Chief Officer Technical Development.
The
tournament will also feature first timers Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and
European giants Real Madrid.
Six
referee trios, one from each confederation, will officiate the matches.
Source
Fifa.com
