By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
Prendergast
PETER PRENDERGAST, the first Jamaican referee to officiate at the World Cup finals, was yesterday showered with praise by colleagues for his performance in his first game of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
The man who narrowly missed going to the 1998 competition gave an impressive display in the first-round game between Russia and Tunisia.
"I am proud. I am pleased. I am elated," said president of the Jamaica Football Referees Association (JFRA) Leroy Hines.
Clayton Solomon, a former FIFA referee and chairman of the football referees commission, a body which appoints local referees, was also proud.
"He gave, from a CONCACAF standpoint, a very sober and, I would say, the kind of performance that one would want.
"I think he made CONCACAF proud. It must be a credit to himself and a bonus to Jamaica as a country taking into consideration that we do not have a professional league," said Solomon.
Hines said Prendergast showed no signs of nerves in his first game at the highest level of football and was not afraid to make calls.
"Of all the referees that I have seen, he has been outstanding," said Hines.
"If you noticed the penalty he awarded, if there was no replay you would not have seen it because the foul looked so simple but when it was replayed it showed that there was no doubt about it," said Hines.
He added: "Prendergast was also the first to give a yellow card for simulation (diving) and he was commended for this by the commentators."
For Solomon, Prendergast's achievement should inspire upcoming officials.
"It should also serve as a stimulation for all young referees looking on to gain strength. Here is a Jamaican who is there and done well. It is for them now to set their goals and go after them," he said.
