SA ref Damon has world-class potential

By Clayton Barnes

2010 Writer

Being a referee is not easy, especially at the World Cup where an estimated 700 million diehard football fans analyse your every move.

But for Cape Town school teacher and father of two Jerome Damon, refereeing has become a passion that drives him.

Damon, 37, is one of four African referees and the only South African to make Fifa's panel of candidate referees for the event.

The other referees chosen from Africa are Algeria's Mohamed Benouza, Eddy Maillet of the Seychelles and Mali's Koman Coulibaly.

Assistant referee Enock Molefe, from Gauteng, is among eight African assistant referees selected by Fifa.

The world football governing body is to conduct a final assessment in May before assigning referees for the 64 matches.

The Cape Argus spoke to Damon after his return from a training camp in Spain last week.

His biggest challenge before the soccer showpiece, he said, was not to peak too soon.

"It's no use hitting top form a month before the tournament. I have to pace myself," said Damon.

Damon heads to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a match this week. His final Fifa assessment will be in Durban on May 8 and 9.

"At least I know what to expect and can prepare thoroughly. The assessment will include a video, an oral and written test, focus on the laws of the game, and a physical assessment. You have to be fit."

Getting the final nod from Fifa will be tough, but it's a challenge Damon is willing to accept.

"When I walk on to the park for the first match, I'll believe it. We have been told that the World Cup trios (referee and two assistant referees) are not cast in stone. Things can still change."

Damon has officiated at four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations - Angola, Tunisia, Egypt and Ghana - since 2004, and was on standby for the World Cup in Germany in 2006.

He is a life-skills teacher at Bridgetown High School, and has been refereeing professionally since 1996.

He made his international debut in 2003 at a Fifa under-17 competition, and since then "things have been on the up".

Damon said, however, that being a referee was not just about picking up your bag, running on to the field and officiating.

"Three days of preparation normally precedes a match. There is a physical and psychological programme you have to follow. You have to watch videos of the teams and study their techniques, their formations and their coaches' decisions."

Matches were followed by an extensive debrief, he said.

Damon said refereeing would become a profession in South Africa after the World Cup. "It's going that way. I have decided that my season for teaching is over. After the World Cup, refereeing will be a career."

Fifa is to appoint 30 referees from 28 countries for the World Cup. The final list of referees for the tournament is to be announced in May.