Media Notes: Swedish Referee Starts Facebook Page To Explain Decisions

A Swedish referee "has started a Facebook page in an attempt to 'create an understanding for our occupation.'" Mohammed Al-Hakim, an official in the Swedish top flight, Allsvenskan, "launched his page this month with an admission that he should have given a penalty in the game between IFK Norrkoping and AIK and has been praised for his willingness to discuss contentious decisions." Al-Hakim: "I believe in openness and dialogue. The main idea is that I want to create interest [in our occupation] and I think the football family can gain from getting a better insight and understanding of a referee’s situation" (London GUARDIAN, 8/11). ... Top Eleven has joined forces with Chelsea player Nemanja Matic to design an all new animated live match feature. The unique features bring flowing motion to the animated sequences for the first time, an innovation made possible by Top Eleven's artificial intelligence technology (Top Eleven).