Torres to take the whistle at Wembley
Tuesday, 23 February, 2010
Parguayan referee to take charge of England World Cup warm-up.
As Fabio Capello's England continue their preparations for the World Cup in South Africa, another aspect of the potential experience this summer will be covered next week at Wembley.
The Three Lions, drawn with USA, Slovenia and Algeria, are likely to be officiated by a 'continent-neutral' referee during the FIFA tournament in South Africa, and to that end The FA have invited Paraguayan referee Carlos Manuel Torres to take the whistle against Egypt.
This is intended to assist the preparations for playing with a non-European referee in charge of the match.
Torres started refereeing for Paraguay's top federation APF in 1990 and received his FIFA badge in 1998. He officiated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and the 2007 Copa America. Torres was on the original shortlist of 54 referees for the World Cup but lost out to his fellow countryman Carlos Amarilla.
Though Torres will be disappointed not to be heading to South Africa, that fact permits him to officiate this friendly game, as referees who have been selected for the World Cup Finals are not permitted to referee teams who have qualified.
Torres will be assisted by Miciades Zaldivar & Rodney Aquino.
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