THERE will be a true internatonal flavour to Worcester City’s match against Guiseley tomorrow (3pm) as a Japanese referee takes charge at St George’s Lane.
Yoshiro Imamura, who normally works in the Japan National League, has been appointed to the Blue Square Bet North fixture as part of an exchange programme to improve referee development.
The 34-year-old is one of two officials from the Japanese Football Association spending time in this country, with a colleague looking after Solihull Moors’ home match against Boston Uni-ted in the same division.
In conjunction with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the English FA have linked up with their Japanese counterparts in a bid to raise standards.
Imamura, who will have two English assistants, is of the required standard and will be accompanied at the Lane by PGMOL management team member Ray Olivier.
Alan Kaye, referee appointments officer for Blue Square Bet North, said: “The FA are keen to forge links around the world and over the years we have developed these links. We are seen as delivering best practice in referee development.
“I am confident that the referees that are coming over are of the required standard but it’s to give them more experience in different countries and cultures.”
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