Premier League referees "must get fitter to help reduce the likelihood of mistakes," according to retired footballer Alan Shearer. The former England captain's comments "come in the wake of a weekend of high-profile refereeing errors." Shearer said, "They could be fitter but they need all the help they can get" (BBC, 3/23). ... There are "few more hazardous occupations in world sport at the moment" than being a referee in the Cypriot Football League, with officials on the Mediterranean island having "suffered six criminal attacks in a year." A Cyprus Referees' Association representative said, "The police have told us flat out that they cannot protect us and that they are unable to make any arrests in connection with incidents against referees, so what can we do? We have asked the Justice Minister to take action but again he says he is doing all he can. If he can't help us who should we ask for help, the Minister of Agriculture?" (REUTERS, 3/23). ... Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini claimed that "those who represent Italy must be born in Italy." Mancini "believes the likes of Franco Vazquez and Eder should not have been given Italy calls." Eder was born in Brazil, while Vazquez is Argentinian by birth "but both qualify for the Azzurri through relatives." Mancini: "The Italian national team must be Italian. Those who aren’t born in Italy but have distant relatives shouldn’t be called-up, that’s my opinion" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 3/23).
IN SPAIN: Alicante, Spain judge Rafael Fuentes Devesa "confirmed the extinction of Alicante CF after 97 years of history." The club's folding was "confirmed on Monday." Alicante's "last big sports moment came during the '08-09 season," when the team competed in the Spanish second division. A court ruling made on March 9 "meant the end for Alicante, though the club stopped competing after playing the '13-14 season in the Regional Preferente category" (EFE, 3/23).
