A Hockey World Cup is an opportunity for different nations to compete against each other. Essential elements for the smooth running of such a competition, the referees must for their part adapt to a less familiar environment. An update on what is changing for them in the company of Didier Massy.
Is it still necessary to introduce Didier Massy? The 61-year-old from Valais has been playing the Swiss ice rinks for so long that he has gradually become an emblematic figure of Swiss hockey. Player of Sierre, Lugano and Davos between 1979 and 1994, he still played in the 1st League until 2005. The former defender also attempted a career change in coaching between 2000 and 2008 before becoming a referee in 2007, at a time where the “Zebras” still only worked in groups of three.
At the international level, we try to put the different types of arbitration on an equal footing
Although he has never whistled at an “A” World Cup due to age issues, the Sierre native has officiated at U20 World Cups, as well as in numerous international friendly matches. His long experience proves valuable in understanding the differences between refereeing in the league throughout the season and during a major competition.
Stricter than in the championship
“The biggest difference is that at the international level, we try to put the different types of arbitration of each nation on an equal footing, so the application of the rules is much stricter and there are fewer room for the feeling and feeling of the game“, asks Didier Massy. Each country has its own rules of the game, with some adaptations compared to the official Rule Book issued by the IIHF, which is applied to the World Cup.
“Some nations will award a minor or a major penalty for the same action. The procedures concerning what we can see or not on the video are not necessarily the same either“, explains the Sierrois. Selectors and referees therefore meet before the tournament and the game directors detail on this occasion the aspects on which they will be particularly vigilant.
A part of randomness
The line is defined by a certain Dany Kurmann, currently responsible for refereeing within the International Federation (IIHF) after having officiated for 20 years on Swiss ice, and game directors must follow it if they do not don’t want to go home earlier than expected. “If a referee wants to advance in the tournament and hope to reach the final, he has every interest in respecting what he is asked to do.“, slips the former Luganais.
At your first World Championship, you fall a little into the unknown
The “Zebras” are in fact scrutinized by their hierarchy and, like the players, only the best have the opportunity to participate in the final matches of the competition. “A lot of elements come into play and it’s always a bit of a lottery for them. They can come across matches where everything goes well and end up having a great World Championship, when in reality, it is not thanks to them in particular, but to the players who agreed to play correctly, illustrates Didier Massy. Conversely, a meeting against relegation with mayhem could cost them their place, without them having anything to reproach themselves for.
Two Swiss in Prague
Another aspect that is evolving at the international level, proximity to the players in the game is of much less importance. “At the first World Championship, we fell a bit into the unknown. In the Swiss championship, we know everyone and everyone knows us, as well as our way of whistling, which we will pay more or less attention to. This little gray area does not exist in a World Cup“, explains Didier Massy.
External content
This external content cannot be displayed because it may collect personal data. To view this content you must authorize the category Social networks.
Accept More information
In Prague, two Swiss officials are among the 32 summoned by the IIHF: the Valais main referee Michael Tscherrig and the St. Gallen linesman Dario Fuchs. Their path to the final on May 26 depends above all on good performances on the ice, but they must also indirectly hope for an early elimination of the Swiss team. It indeed seems unlikely that they would be called upon to lead such an important meeting of their own Federation.
But before thinking about a possible final, Patrick Fischer’s troop must already validate their ticket for the quarter-finals. This will be the case if they beat Denmark this Saturday. A meeting to follow live from 12:10 p.m. on RTS 2.
From Prague, Bastien Trottet – @BastienTrottet
