Regarding the information published on the WEB portal about the alleged ranking of Macedonian referees within UEFA and the claims that they are ranked from 117th to 119th place, we would like to clarify that this is an inaccurate interpretation of the data.
Clearly, in the desire to find a „sensation,“ the most important part was once again forgotten: reading and understanding the document.
Namely, the alleged „ranking“ of Macedonian referees, in which it is claimed that Vlatko Ilioski, Igor Stojcevski and Stojanche Trpchevski are in 117th, 118th and 119th place, simply does not exist.
This is a UEFA list arranged alphabetically by country, not according to the ranking, quality or assessment of the referees.
In other words, the only „progress“ in this story is the progress of creativity in interpreting a document.
Fortunately, the documents are publicly available and anyone can verify that the truth is much simpler than the sensational headline: the letters of the alphabet are not points, and the serial number on a list is not a ranking.
At the same time, we point out that some of the information and public comments published on the WEB portal sportsport.mk, concerning the international status and progress of Macedonian referees, do not present the full factual situation and may lead to incorrect conclusions.
The development and progress of referees within UEFA are not based on subjective assessments or momentary impressions, but on clearly defined criteria, continuous monitoring of performances, match reports, the number of international appointments, experience and participation in development programmes.
It is a fact that Vlatko Ilioski has been part of the UEFA international list for only one year, while Stojanche Trpchevski acquired international referee status six months ago. In such circumstances, expectations of immediate advancement to higher categories are not consistent with the way the UEFA system functions, where the development of referees is a process that requires time, continuity and proven results.
Igor Stojcevski, meanwhile, is part of the UEFA Mentor and Talent Programme, intended for the development of promising referees. The programme has a precisely defined duration of one year, and Stojcevski is being monitored and guided by Turkey’s Cuneyt Cakir, one of the most successful European and world referees in recent history. Upon completion of the programme, a full evaluation of his progress, quality and potential for further development will follow.
Therefore, claims that Macedonian referees are „making no progress“ do not reflect the real situation if all the relevant facts and criteria according to which UEFA assesses the development of referees are not taken into account.
FFM and the Referees’ Committee continue to work with dedication, systematically and professionally, in coordination with UEFA, with the sole aim of creating quality and competitive referees who will have an appropriate place on the international stage.
