Referee Björn Kuipers whistled the Otten Innovation Cup 22 years ago and he keeps fond memories of it. "It is a very nice tournament and also a wonderful tournament to show yourself as a player," he says. "But certainly also as a referee. Very nice to take with you in your luggage."
The referee from Oldenzaal currently holds a full-time position at UEFA, in which, among other things, he visits all clubs playing UEFA Champions League to bring them up to speed on the rules of the game and rule changes. Thanks to the innovative nature of the Otten Innovation Cup, the youth tournament at de Herdgang also has Kuipers' special interest. Not infrequently, new rules or technologies were tested there for the first time.
Over the years, we are now up to the 75th edition, the tournament at the Oirschotsedijk has built a name for itself. Not only because it has now produced many great players: see here, but also, for example, because in 2016 it experimented with VAR for the first time. That technology is now impossible to imagine football without.
VAR
"Referees should whistle as if VAR is not there," Kuipers believes. Leadership and authenticity are expected of the man in black, or nowadays more often yellow or green. "What we have to be careful of now is losing the leaders. Arbiters have to decide on the field. In the beginning you sometimes saw them lose confidence when they were called to the side by VAR, but we are past that phase. As referees, we should be happy with a second chance, where we can still correct a mistake."
To get an even better picture of what is happening on the field, the refcam will be deployed during the 75th Otten Innovation Cup. A gadget that lets the referee hear and see what the referee perceives, thereby actually proving what a referee does not see. This can increase understanding of arbitration decisions. In addition, it can help counteract (verbal) violence against the referee. You're caught on camera...
Respect
"But," Kuipers hastens to say, "I think norms and values should be leading and not technology. There should be 'just' respect. The referee is right, even if he is wrong." In other words, let's not put everything in the hands of technology. "Innovations have always been there. The introduction of headsets, for example," Kuipers said. One new game rule he expects a lot from is the 8-second rule. "I think that one is very good. That goalkeepers sometimes stood with the ball for 16, 17 seconds was not good." After three counts, the referee will now raise his hand and then count down from five to zero with his fingers. "We tested it and they just don't do it anymore."
That comes flashy football at a high intensity. If you like that, you will get your money's worth next weekend at the Herdgang - where pure playing time is also played.