This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/12/bjorn-kuipers-referee-england-italy

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
England v Italy referee is Champions League final official Björn Kuipers England v Italy referee is Champions League final official Björn Kuipers
(34 minutes later)
England will have the referee from the Champions League final for their possible group-defining match against Italy in Manaus on Saturday.England will have the referee from the Champions League final for their possible group-defining match against Italy in Manaus on Saturday.
The Dutch official Björn Kuipers was widely praised for letting the match flow last month in what was a potentially explosive confrontation between the Madrid rivals Real and Atlético, won by the men in white in extra-time. The Dutch official Björn Kuipers was widely praised for letting the match flow last month in what was a potentially explosive confrontation between the Madrid rivals Real and Atlético, won by the men in white in extra time.
In what may be a favourable omen for the English, Kuipers also took charge of the 2013 Europa League final in which Chelsea beat Benfica 2-1.In what may be a favourable omen for the English, Kuipers also took charge of the 2013 Europa League final in which Chelsea beat Benfica 2-1.
He has plenty of big-game international experience, refereeing Brazil’s fractious 3-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup final last year when he sent off the Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué. He has plenty of big-game international experience, refereeing Brazil’s fractious 3-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup final last year, when he sent off the Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué.
Beyond that Kuipers has had a colourful career. He was in charge when France played the co-hosts Ukraine in Euro 2012 and took the decision to suspend the match during an electrical storm. France eventually won 2-0.Beyond that Kuipers has had a colourful career. He was in charge when France played the co-hosts Ukraine in Euro 2012 and took the decision to suspend the match during an electrical storm. France eventually won 2-0.
Less decisively, he gained some notoriety in the Netherlands when he failed to see Luis Suárez bite Otman Bakkal’s shoulder during a Dutch league game between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven in November 2010.Less decisively, he gained some notoriety in the Netherlands when he failed to see Luis Suárez bite Otman Bakkal’s shoulder during a Dutch league game between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven in November 2010.
Kuipers was promoted to the top tier of European referees by Uefa in January 2009 and was saluted by the Dutch Football Association referee coordinator Dick van Egmond who said: “It’s fantastic to see that Uefa rates Björn so highly. Kuipers was promoted to the top tier of European referees by Uefa in January 2009 and was saluted by the Dutch Football Association’s referee coordinator, Dick van Egmond, who said: “It’s fantastic to see that Uefa rates Björn so highly.
“They appoint referees based on their performances and quality. Dutch referees such as Bjorn are slowly trained and prepared to ref at the highest level. They’re following an intensive programme where they learn how to deal with mistakes. That’s how Bjorn has reached the highest level. It might sound simple, but only a few are up to it.” “They appoint referees based on their performances and quality. Dutch referees such as Björn are slowly trained and prepared to ref at the highest level. They’re following an intensive programme where they learn how to deal with mistakes. That’s how Björn has reached the highest level. It might sound simple, but only a few are up to it.”
Kuipers’ assistants will be Sander von Roekel and Erwin Zeinstra. The fourth man is Walter López of Guatemala.Kuipers’ assistants will be Sander von Roekel and Erwin Zeinstra. The fourth man is Walter López of Guatemala.