IFAF Officiating has undertaken a comprehensive selection process for the officiating team for the upcoming IFAF Men’s European Championship Final Four tackle football tournament.

Reigning champion Austria, five-time champion Finland, triple gold medal winner Italy and three-time champion Germany battled through qualifying games last year to secure their place in the Final Four at the Grotenburg Stadion in Krefeld from October 25 to 28.

A total of 14 Technical Officials and one Supervisor have been appointed. The officiating team comprises three officials from each of the four participating nations, along with two neutral referees from Norway and Great Britain.

The group includes 12 male and 2 female technical officials, who all bring a high level of experience to the tournament.

“The presence of women in football, whether as referees, coaches or officials, shows that competence and passion know no gender boundaries,” says one of the female officials Side Judge Danica Barth from Germany. “My work can encourage other women to also be interested in such roles. At the same time, it contributes to the further development of existing structures.

“It's not about being "the exception," but about creating a long-term norm. This position may bring a certain amount of attention, but I see that as a positive: the more visible we are, the more we can achieve – professionally, socially and athletically.”

In the lead-up to the Final Four, the officials will engage in a series of online discussions and training sessions focused on rules, rule interpretations, mechanics, and officiating philosophy. Initiatives to support physical fitness and wellbeing will also be incorporated.

During the tournament, a dedicated team of off-field personnel will support game operations, including scoreboard management, game and play clocks, and chain crew duties. Additionally, a remote team of video reviewers will assess individual officiating performances to inform post-game feedback sessions.

“We approach most games in a very similar fashion to the teams,” says British referee James Ford -Bannister. “International games are a little different as national teams evolve over time as coaching and personnel change but the basics be understood when the senior coaching staff remain the same.

“Lots of video review is essential to understand tendencies, key players, and offensive and defensive schemes. This gives us an ability to come into the game less surprised by what a team might present, but we never want to assume that a team will or won’t do something. The other side is self-review. A key part of officiating to watch your calls and your mechanics and be self-critical about where you can improve to give the teams the best version of yourself - which these finalists deserve - when gametime arrives.”

IFAF Men’s European Championships Final Four Officials