London, Monday 9th August 2004 – Emirates Airline, the Dubai-based international airline, today announced that it has become the first ever sponsor of referees and match officials in English football.
The multi million pound three year deal with the Professional Game Match Official Limited (PGMOL) – the organisation responsible for managing and providing match officials for all professional games in England – will result in significant investment in the training and development of officials at all levels of the game.
From Saturday 14th August referees and their assistants will wear the Fly Emirates logo on their sleeves. The logo will be displayed at all Barclays Premiership games and Coca Cola Football League matches. It will be used throughout the length of the agreement at all FA Cup ties, The FA Community Shield, the Play Offs, Carling Cup games and LDV Vans Trophy matches, while the 4th official will also display the Emirates logo.
The PGMOL is committed to ensuring the training and development of referees in this country is of the highest standard. The Select Group, made up of the 19 leading referees in the country, meet on a fortnightly basis to receive advice from experts in fitness and sports psychology to help improve performance, in particular decision-making and physical fitness.
Tim Clark, President – Emirates Airline said ‘With our already extensive international football portfolio and our involvement in cricket’s ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and Referees, we felt this was a great opportunity to become involved in England’s national sport at the highest level and be a key driver in enhancing officiating skills.
‘We are now looking forward to a productive relationship that can deliver real benefits for both organisations in the months and years ahead.’
Keith Hackett, General Manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd said, ‘We are constantly striving to maintain and develop the high standards of refereeing in this country and have seen great progress in recent years in the preparation and training that our officials undertake to help them improve their performance on the pitch.
‘The investment the Emirates partnership brings will play an important role in ensuring that all the Match officials receive the best possible training and will provide additional impetus in the development of referees at all levels of the game.’
For further information please contact:
Charlie Brougham/Michael Humphreys
Emirates Press Office
QBO Bell Pottinger
Tel: 020 7861 2424
email: cbrougham@qbo-bellpottinger.co.uk
Stuart Priestley
Emirates Airline
Tel: 9714 – 2032141
Fax: 9714 – 2950758
email: media.relations@emirates.com