Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 16:30

Björn Kuipers has been made to hesitate by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to continue his referee career, he says during Smokey Sessions, ‘s YouTube show FHM. Kuipers whistled the European Championship final last summer and then said goodbye in the Netherlands as arbitrator by leading the Johan Cruijff Scale between Ajax and PSV (0-4).

“Somewhere I doubted whether to continue until the World Cup in Qatar. That was after the European Championship final between England and Italy,” Kuipers admits. The former top referee was inundated with compliments from home and abroad for his performance in the European Championship final. “I went to the pitch for a moment to look at an empty Wembley. Along the way I ran into Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA. We had a conversation and he made me doubt for a moment whether to continue.”

After much deliberation, Kuipers has decided to put his flute away for good. He can look back on an illustrious career with the European Championship final and Champions League final being the absolute highlights. Kuipers does not have to think long about his biggest mistake ever: “My biggest mistake of my career was the red card of Zlatan Ibrahimovic (in 2016 ed.), 31st minute, Chelsea – Paris Saint Germain.” The recently stopped referee was unable to use the VAR and thought the red card was too harshly penalized. “At the time we were convinced of the right decision, but when you see the images you think oh, oh, oh, oh. It was better to give him a yellow card.”

Kuipers also countered FHM award which player impressed him the most. “Cristiano Ronaldo. If you see what he gives to football, but also what he does for it. Just look at his body. But also how he presents himself as a person, so also off the field. He is an example for a lot of people.” Finally, the bond with his assistants was also discussed during the YouTube show. “We have become very good friends. When you have experienced so much together, seen so much and experienced so many beautiful things, then you share your joys and sorrows.”