Meet the Referees
Referees from Austria, Scotland, South Africa and Denmark officiated at the 5th Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen. Meet some of them here that will be keeping 48 nations focused on one goal.
Kim Milton Nielsen
Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen, a veteran of some of the world's most important football games, will referee at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup on Tuesday 31 July 2007.
48 nations competing for the Homeless World Cup Trophy will be under the scrutiny of one of the top international referees when they play at the street soccer stadium in City Hall Square for the major soccer event of the summer. Milton Neilsen’s career includes 154 internationals and 53 UEFA Champions League games. He is notorious for sending off David Beckham in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, England v Argentina and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney during a UEFA Champions League match.
Milton Nielsen is a strong supporter of the Homeless World Cup and emphasised that he will referee like all other World Cup matches: “The Homeless World Cup is an excellent initiative to inspire an excluded group. Football has the ability to gather people and to be used as a catalyst for changing lives."
Gerhard Holzmann
Head Referee of the Homeless World Cup
Born: 20.03.1958, Graz, Austria
Profession: Restaurant chef at Central Hospital, Graz
Referee since: 1992
History: 1999 - Regional League, 2003 - Styrian First League and Assistant Referee Austrian Regional League, 1350 matches
Homeless World Cup experience: Graz 2003, Edinburgh 2005, Final 2005, Cape Town 2006
"The idea and vision of the Homeless World Cup are great. Football proves to have a unifying power between all nations and people. The life stories of the players in the Homeless World Cup show how important positive motivation can be. I am grateful to be able to support those that live at the edge of society. To be part of such a tournament is a highlight of my career."
Reinhard Raminger
Born: 24.03.1958, Graz, Austrial
Profession: Police officer, Graz
Referee since: 1978
History :1982 - Austrian Premier League, Referee and assistant, 80 matches. 1984 -referee in Styrian First League, 1550 matches
Homeless World Cup experience: Referee co-ordinator Graz 2003, Final 2003, Cape Town 2006
Iain McGill
Born: 31/12/1976, Edinburgh, Scotland
Profession: Director of the Harmony Employment Agency who provide staff to the Social Sector in Scotland
Qualified Referee since: 2004
Referee History: SFA Referee, Edinburgh & District officiating at Amateur and youth level up to U21 in Edinburgh & Lothians
Homeless World Cup referee experience: Edinburgh 2005, Cape Town 2006 (refereed final) and Copenhagen 2007
"It was too good an opportunity to miss when the tournament came to Edinburgh. By getting involved I got to mix my experience as a referee with my experience working with homeless people around the world. And once I got involved I wanted to stay involved. It is the most rewarding refereeing I have ever done."
Niall Waters-Fuller
Proffession: Group Procurement Manager, FirstGroup plc Homeless World Cup referee experience: Edinburgh 2005, Cape Town 2006 and Copenhagen 2007
"I am so excited to be part of the Homeless World Cup. I love it!"
Nkosinathi’ Shoes’ Mahono
Born: 23.01.1973, South Africa
Profession: Heater SEALER (Printing)
Qualifified Referee since: 1998
Referee Historty: Toyota cup final, Shell league, Castle league, Premier, Mvela and Vodacom leagues
Homeless World Cup referee experience: Cape Town 2006
"I am passionate about the game bringing change to homeless people. I believe in respect contributing to make a change for a new challenge for people who are currently homeless."
Ssekabira Ntege Abudu
Born: 12.11.1967 Kawempe (Uganda)
Profession: Training Facilitator
Referee Qualifications since: 1998
Referee History: 2006 SEMI FINAL Red Rum
2005-2002 Sec General Lesotho Referees Ass
2000 Premier Cup Referee
Homeless World Cup experience: Cape Town 2006 semi-final
"I am passionate about street soccer and bringing street soccer to homeless people."
