The extremely experienced UEFA Elite referee from Oldenzaal has taken the decision: he will retire from refereeing in a couple of days, after the Dutch Super Cup, planned on 7 August 2021.
In a very interesting interview released to KNVB, Kuipers has stated that this decision has been taken during some recent holidays and it wasn't definitely an easy one.
Before the start of EURO tournament, he was quite convinced that, in case of appointment for the final, as it happened, retirement would have followed consequently, but the many praises he got after the officiating of Italy - England on 11 July, impressed him. Moreover, being always in a good form and enjoying refereeing were arguments for continuing.
It was therefore difficult to confirm the original decision to retire, but he realized that he made everything possible for him. There is nothing more better and this is the best moment to quit, according to what he could reflect on.
We want to thank Björn for his extraordinary international career and we will remember always him as one of the best FIFA reeferees ever!
Read more on KNVB site:
Björn, if you read this, let me thank you for your immense, invaluable contribution to UEFA refereeing! You are a role model to young referees - always respecting players but also demanding respect, fully focused on the tasks, keeping the highest standards through the whole career, what was surely something extraordinary and demanding perfect preparation to each single game you refereed. You're such a great professional. Thank you and all the best for the future!
ReplyDelete+1!
DeleteSame for me +1
DeleteSame here +1.
DeleteIdem +1 !
DeleteIf you read this, consider writing some match reports on this blog!
ReplyDeleteP.s. I really like waiting for the updated categories list before retiring. :)
I do hope you join the UEFA Referee Committee.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Björn !!
Thank you, Björn, one of the best referees I have ever seen. All the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bjorn! Amazing career. Who do you think will replace him in Elite? My prediction is Serdar Gozubuyuk. Even if the transition is no so smooth because he hadn't so many European games.
ReplyDeleteOT:
ReplyDeleteWhen will we know about UEFA Super Cup referees appointment?
Great career. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI will miss him a lot. Thank you so much Kuipers!
ReplyDeleteChampions and Europa League appointments have been published.
ReplyDeleteThe questions is: Who is the SuperCup referee ?
Brych seems to be the only option right now, unless a surprise by committee (Category 1...).
DeleteI answer to f. who asked why I removed Hategan from my original prediction, well, when Super Cup was regularly played in the same days of play offs on previous seasons, it was common for Super Cup referee to get only that game, without any further appointment before. I remember that we were able to predict the name of Super Cup referee, by listing all the other ones who had got a CL play off.
BTW now with Kuipers retirement the Elite Category will become even smaller and many Category 1 will be treated the same as Elite, or maybe even better in some cases...
Well one could start with treating all Elite referees like Elite referees - and e.g. not appoint them in 3rd round of EL qualification...
Deletewill Dias be expected to stay in Tokyo longer?
DeleteCakir deserves it
DeleteBrych is retiring, Kuipers is going too.That opens some more space for guys like Siebert to move to elite
ReplyDeleteOne of the best in history, without dilemma! It was pleasure to watch his performances. All the best!
ReplyDelete