The Malta FA’s Director of Refereeing and former international referee Adrian D. Casha is currently participating in the Introductory Course of UEFA’s 13th CORE (Centre of Refereeing Excellence) Programme taking place in Nyon, Switzerland, between 8th and 17th of May. The Consolidation Course of this CORE Edition is scheduled to take place between 18th and 25th October 2012.

The first UEFA Study Group to be held in Malta has just come to end. The event focused on Grassroots Football, one of several areas which are under UEFA’s microscope. The aim of this initiative was to facilitate exchanges of knowledge and experiences between different member associations of UEFA and bring about more refined technical approaches in the various sectors of the game at this base structure.

Football at grassroots level was thoroughly delved into during the three-day event which comprised the participation of no fewer than 44 representatives from Italy, Lithuania and Luxembourg, including those from Malta. Related areas such as nurseries, coach education, futsal, beach soccer, referees’ academy and women’s football were also on the agenda.

Malta has been entrusted by UEFA to host a study group on the theme ‘Grassroots Football in Malta’. This activity will be held over three days, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the MFA Technical Centre, Ta’ Qali.

The aim of this study group, the first to be held in our country, is to help national asscoiations exchange invaluable technical knowledge through such schemes which UEFA has now been undertaking for some years. These initiatives to refine by means of various fora the work that is being undertaken by member federations in vital areas of football are commendable and go a long way towards improving the game in different sectors.

FIFA Referee Alan Mario Sant will be controlling the UEFA Under-17 Championship Group A clash between France and Slovenia on Friday. This game, which is part of the final tournament is being played at the Sportni Park in Domzale, kick-off at 20:30.

UEFA has appointed FIFA Assistant Referees Mubariz Hashimov from Azerbaijan and Serkan Genceler from Turkey to assist Sant while FIFA Referee Harald Lechner from Austria will carry out the duties of Fourth Official.

UEFA has appointed FIFA Referee Alan Mario Sant for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament to be played between May 4 and 16 in Slovenia. Alan Mario Sant passed a rigorous FIFA Fitness Test in preparation for his participation in this Final Tournament and was commended for his optimum physical condition.

This is a very prestigious appointment as 12 years have passed since the Malta FA was represented with a referee (not assistant referee) in a Final Tournament.