AFA referees hold winter camp for mental and emotional training

Forty-six referees, including main and line judges, are currently attending a winter camp convened by the National Directorate of Refereeing of the AFA. The two-day event, held at a hotel near the Lionel Andrés Messi training complex in Ezeiza, is designed to sharpen their skills just as the decisive stages of the Argentine football season approach.

The camp's primary focus is on "mental training and emotional intelligence." The official refereeing account on social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter) shared images of the event, featuring Federico Beligoy, the national director of refereeing, and Fernando Rapallini, who oversees the technical aspects. The program includes talks by specialists on a variety of topics crucial for officiating at the highest levels.

Among the attendees are World Cup referees like Darío Herrera, Hernán Mastrángelo, Nicolás Ramírez, Nazareno Arasa, and Maximiliano Del Yesso, a line judge from the 2026 World Cup. Rapallini, in a recent interview, emphasized the importance of understanding the game's flow and context, not just memorizing regulations. He noted that referees who have played the sport often have an advantage in interpreting the game's dynamics.

Rapallini further elaborated on the psychological demands of officiating, distinguishing between regular matches and high-stakes encounters like derbies or finals. "The atmosphere, the people, and you have to live it differently," he stated, underscoring the need for referees to manage their emotions and adapt to the pressure of critical games while strictly adhering to the rulebook.