Interview with assistant referee Alexandru Vicol from Moldovia

We had a chat with Alexandru Vicol, who is an assistant referee, currently in the second championship division of the Republic of Moldova. He lives in the capital city of Moldova, Chișinău and is 25 years old. Alexandru uses an S1 Pro watch, and we were curious about him and his perspective on the role of a referee. Read the full interview below.

– When did you start refereeing?

– I have been a referee since 2019, and compared to others who started their career much earlier, some might think that I started late. However, it depends. I began only when I was psychologically prepared for this adventure. I am someone who likes to prioritize things, so first, I needed to take care of everything related to my studies, obtain my driver's license, complete my mandatory military training, and then I felt ready to embark on the journey of becoming a football referee.


–Why did you start refereeing?

– I used to play football extensively during my childhood, until I realized that I wouldn't be able to pursue a professional career in the sport and make a living out of it.

For a long time, I suppressed this thought until my third year of university. I was studying at law school when I came across an advertisement from the Moldovan Football Federation, inviting individuals to join their referee initiation course. Being a multitasker and someone who had completed self-appointed tasks before, I had a lot of free time at that point. This was a significant turning point in my life, as I realized I could combine my passion for the game with my career as a lawyer by becoming a football referee. Throughout the years, my passion for the game had never wavered.


–What is the best thing about refereeing and being a referee?

The atmosphere created by a football competition and surrounding the stadium is one of the best things I can witness from a "first-row" seat. Of course, for the most part, people come to watch their beloved teams, enjoy the show, and we are merely supervisors of the laws of the game. Therefore, personally, the best thing about refereeing is the fact that I can be a part of that show. During matches, we are always on duty, and we should remain calm and ready to make all the necessary decisions, sometimes even ones that might trigger the audience. Naturally, the most enjoyable aspect is the self-fulfillment emotion after a match when you are pleased with how you guided it. It is also satisfying when you are praised for your effort, a good decision, and overall - a well-managed match.


– What is like to be a referee in Moldova? Long trips to matches? Any requirements, like running test, more?

– Most referees in Moldova consider it a part-time job. The game schedule is advantageous, with matches mostly taking place on weekends. So, unless there are personal matters that make us unavailable, we have very little free time. As a lawyer, I spend most weekdays sitting in front of a PC, preparing documents and pleading in national courts. That's why I liked the idea of combining these two jobs, as they are so different. For my legal work, I have ample time to think and prepare without physical demands. But on weekends, my job style radically changes. I must act quickly, make critical decisions, and be ready to run long distances. I see these jobs as complementary to each other, enjoying the slow-paced environment of one and the adrenaline-fueled challenges of the other. One thing that remains constant is the need to stay calm and act wisely.

It's intriguing that we referee matches of all kinds, from grassroots to professional and even veteran teams. The federation takes into consideration our availability when assigning higher-division matches. For those not chosen, there are plenty of grassroots matches to keep us in form or high-paced U19 games that provide more challenges. Sometimes, as assistants, we are assigned to referee grassroots matches to gain insight into the main referee's role and understand how to support them.

As Moldova is not a large country (roughly 6 hours by car from north to south), there are no long trips. We usually travel by public transport or car, although high-speed trains would be a welcome addition in the future.

Regarding requirements, the Referees Committee of the Moldovan Football Federation provides guidance. We attend frequent seminars, around 3-4 per season, where we review our matches, discuss areas for improvement, and receive both constructive feedback and praise for our decisions. Additionally, there are two boot camps each year where we undergo theoretical, medical, and physical tests, including FIFA Interval and UEFA SDS tests.


– What is your goal, long term, and short term, with refereeing?

– For the short term, my goal is to achieve promotion to the first division. While I approach each game with utmost seriousness, I constantly seek more challenging matches. The first division at the national level offers performances that can truly be called a show.

In the long term, my dream is to achieve high performances at the international level. To make this dream a reality, I will diligently cultivate and improve my skills over the years.


– Thanks Alexandru and good luck!