Kyros Vasaras at Trial: “Never a foreign arbitrator in Romania – The conditions do not exist for me to work in Greece”

Kyros Vasaras, member of the UEFA Referee Development Committee and head referee in Romaniaspoke to “Lawsuit against SKAI” on matters concerning arbitration in Greece and the problems it faces.

What he said in detail:

For a typical phase where the referee… beat the technology: “It’s a rare thing, but recently in a match in Alkmaar for the Europa League, the assistant signaled that the ball crossed the line, while the clock did not tick. The cross was made, then the watch was made, the check was made and I was happy because man defeated technology. He was at the right angle and what he saw he gave».

For the conditions he sets in a collaboration with a country’s Federation: “The Federation must seek cooperation, with any person it can undertake. When I received a request from the president of the Romanian Federation at the time, because I worked for eight months with the previous president, I asked him what he was asking for and we settled down. Usually the Federation makes the applications. I know this because I have been attacked by other Federations, like his Azerbaijan».

Regarding whether in Romania he manages or co-manages: “I would never accept interventions. The first and unbreakable condition when I start somewhere is that I get something blank and there are goals. Then I report if they were implemented. I have never received any interference from the president, I have never been asked anything about referee appointments. In Romania they are announced 24 hours before the start of the matchso that there are no discussions and they are affected. The referees, of course, know it earlier. I was asked to bring referees from Greece to Romania, but I did not accept because there would be discussions that they were appointed by a Greek. I will never accept a foreign referee as long as I am the head referee.”

On whether a Greek referee can lead in our country: “It is clear that the conditions are difficult for a Greek to lead the Arbitration Commission. Even now. In general, you have a problem here, whether you are a Greek or a foreigner. Something has to be done. It is done when ordinances are passed and there is a Disciplinary Code that applies. When I went to Romania they had foreign referees. A frame has entered. Whenever a player referred to a referee in any way, they were automatically called for explanations and there were penalties. Initially, it may have been a recommendation.

Clearly, some things happened in Greece as well. In Romania, everyone accepts to discuss, publicity does not make work. The steps here are slow. It has to do with how disciplined we who participate in football are. Laws are catching on all over the world for matters off the field as well. It is also a matter of education. It is what takes the first step. I’ve never seen someone who gets punished come out and say I’m sorry and send the message. When we cultivate toxicity from kid’s leagues, we will reap what we sow.

On whether a referee will have a problem in Romania to denounce a president: “I promoted a referee for this reason. I heard it from his mouth Mr. Gagatsias to what the network can be to report a bribe. One of my cases came to the police, they told me you define him. Nobody knew anything. He made the court after two years and from that moment he was promoted to the top division, although he was to be promoted the following year».

About his meeting with Makis Gagatsis: “He was not the first president I met. I had told him that the conditions did not exist for a Greek to work as a referee in Greece. He knew it from before. I said that the foundations must be laid in education. At UEFA we have two programmes. The most important is the talents, which I am the coordinator of. The proposal must be made by the Arbitration Committee. It is a five-member Commission that must have its share of arbitration. I handed in the evaluation forms at the last UEFA visit and said go ahead. It had to start».

For training details: “This season in 24 games in Romania referees of the Second National Team have also refereed. For me, one cannot go up to the First National team if he has not whistled for the First National team. If you are talking about VAR training, it is in stages. They have to train with simulators. The time depends on how long it takes for the machines to be available. Then there are four training sessions. It is necessary to gather the referees from all over the country. The training can last a month in total, but usually from 3-6 months. The field referee must also officiate a friendly match or a lower level game».

On the problems in Greek arbitration: “There was no stability in Greece. When Greek referees don’t play in Greece, how can UEFA trust referees with no experience? There must be production. Tasos Sidiropoulos had arrived one step before the EURO. It’s also the circumstances. I am proud that there are two Elite referees who passed by me, but all this was done with work. Before Kovacs, there was Hatchegan and then Petrescu.

The table only changes when there is a reason. There is also a separate table with VARs. I have five people who are only VARs. When one has been a referee for eight years he will either go up or stop. Now that time is less. We don’t always care about age because you can’t produce 10 referees a year. We look at their talent and quality. If one cannot cope, one leaves alone. The referee must also step on the grass, even in a lower category. Not only to be in VAR. I am of this opinion. There’s no way I’m going to accept anyone who tells me to put someone up».

On whether he was ever offered a ministerial or administrative position: “Once there was such a proposal, for an administrative position in the Federation. I had said then that I want to close the circle of refereeing that I love. And for me it is not closed. I also work well with UEFA. I’m in a program that I’m happy to see guys play European finals. It all started with a program. If I don’t like something, I don’t continue. I like to produce. When I left Greece I left a database and they still have it. The seminar that I do in Romania is copied and pasted for the 2nd and 3rd national team».



For the incidents in Romania with statements that were punished: “This season we have two incidents with football players. One said I can’t understand the role of the referee today… And I told the referees the following: Their punishments have been announced, you write down everything. Coach has not spoken yet, the four yellow cards are penalized with one game day».

As for whether he analyzes the phases on a weekly basis as Mr. Lanois: “The number of times I had to analyze phases, on Federation television, was when there were cases with different opinions. Only then did I analyze phases. The last time was two months ago. I did it to ease the toxicity. I’m not against television critics. We must respect their role».

On the things he would have liked to do and didn’t do in Greek arbitration: “I worked for a long time and many things fell apart within a month. An agent told me “Kyros, you can’t do everything, give a little bit”. But I can’t. I don’t hold a grudge against anyone, everyone does their job. If I didn’t do something, it’s that I couldn’t make more referees in schools when this climate didn’t exist».