The Referee who sent off Zinedine Zidane at the 2006 World Cup final in Germany and Wayne Rooney at the 2004 Euro Championships, has been confirmed as a referee for next year’s 18th Maccabiah Games.

Argentinian Horacio Elizondo, 45, dismissed Zidane for headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi and Rooney for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho.

Confirmation of the appointment came following a meeting in Buenos Aires with Asaf Stolarz, Maccabiah Sports Department Director. Elizondo has agreed not to officiate at any matches involving Argentina.

He is also considering running an education programme for Israeli referees. Talking about Elizondo’s involvement in the Games, Team GB manager Jonathan Kestenbaum said: “The appointment of the man who refereed the World Cup final is a testament to the international stature of the tournament.

“We had planned for the squad to spend time in the build-up with referees who have officiated in international tournaments – that now becomes even more important.”

l The final 18-man Team GB open football squad will be announced on
February 4.