Soccer-Euro-Respect and consistency are key themes for referees

By Mike Collett

REGENSDORF, Switzerland, June 5 (Reuters) - The 17th team at Euro 2008 -- the match officials -- will be aiming for consistency in their decision-making above all else, UEFA's head of refereeing Yvan Cornu said on Thursday.

They also want respect from the players and naturally would show respect back, added Cornu when the match officials met the media at a pre-tournament open day at their headquarters just north of Zurich on Thursday.

"The referees and their assistants will strive for consistency. They have been working hard for over a year and in particular for the last three months," he told reporters.

"They have studied video footage of 13 types of incidents that create tension and they know what they will be looking out for in the matches.

"They will not tolerate diving, or simulation and they will not tolerate disrespect.

"At the same time, every competing team has had a meeting with a member of UEFA's referees committee who has told them exactly what will and will not be tolerated by the officials."

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