Martin Hansson
Encyclopedia
Martin Hansson is a Swedish football referee. Hansson currently resides in Holmsjö
. He has been a full international referee for FIFA
since 2001.
Hansson works as a firefighter
outside refereeing and is fluent in Swedish, English and German. His hobbies include hunting
and angling
.
badge before the age of 30. He was selected as a referee for the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup
in Canada, where he refereed the match between Argentina
and the Czech Republic
on June 30, 2007. He then took charge of the game between the USA and Poland
on July 3, 2007. Hansson also officiated the 2006 Euro U-21 final between the Netherlands
and Ukraine
in Portugal.
Hansson currently referees matches on a frequent basis in the highest Swedish league, the Allsvenskan
, as well as the UEFA Cup
and the UEFA Champions League
. He came under criticism for a 95th minute penalty decision in a Champions League match between Atlético Madrid and Liverpool
when Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard
went down in the box when barely minimal contact was made; the match finished 1–1 after Gerrard converted the last-minute spot kick. After the match, Gerrard himself admitted that he would have been "livid" had a similar decision been given under reversed circumstances.
Hansson was the referee for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Final
. During this match, Hansson failed to award Brazil
a goal after a header by Kaká
crossed the United States
goal line before being cleared, but Brazil's eventual victory quelled the criticism.
Hansson was preselected as a referee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. While refereeing the second leg of the France vs Republic of Ireland 2010 FIFA World Cup play-off
, Hansson was unable to see a handball by French captain Thierry Henry
, which permitted France to score the decisive extra-time goal against Ireland in their World Cup second leg play-off at the Stade de France on November 18, 2009. This was his third major controversy in a high profile match in 13 months.
He came under the spotlight once again during the first leg of the 2010 Champions League last 16 match between FC Porto and Arsenal
. He allowed Porto players to take a quick indirect free kick deep inside the Arsenal penalty area despite Arsenal's players not being in position, which led to the second goal for the Portuguese side.
Although a controversial decision, the Laws of the Game do not state that the defense must be set for any free kick.
Ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Swedish Television - SVT - showed Rättskiparen (English Title: The Referee
) a documentary about Martin Hansson's road to South Africa.
Holmsjö
Holmsjö is a locality situated in Karlskrona Municipality, Blekinge County, Sweden with 347 inhabitants in 2005....
. He has been a full international referee for FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
since 2001.
Hansson works as a firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
outside refereeing and is fluent in Swedish, English and German. His hobbies include hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
and angling
Angling
Angling is a method of fishing by means of an "angle" . The hook is usually attached to a fishing line and the line is often attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods are usually fitted with a fishing reel that functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook itself...
.
Life and career
Hansson started refereeing at the age of 15 at his own club. He subsequently obtained his FIFAFIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
badge before the age of 30. He was selected as a referee for the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup
2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
in Canada, where he refereed the match between Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
and the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
on June 30, 2007. He then took charge of the game between the USA and Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
on July 3, 2007. Hansson also officiated the 2006 Euro U-21 final between the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
and Ukraine
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After Ukrainian Independence and breakaway from the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary on 29 April 1992...
in Portugal.
Hansson currently referees matches on a frequent basis in the highest Swedish league, the Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
, as well as the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
and the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. He came under criticism for a 95th minute penalty decision in a Champions League match between Atlético Madrid and Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
when Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
went down in the box when barely minimal contact was made; the match finished 1–1 after Gerrard converted the last-minute spot kick. After the match, Gerrard himself admitted that he would have been "livid" had a similar decision been given under reversed circumstances.
Hansson was the referee for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Final
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Final
The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Final was a football match to determine the winners of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. The match was held at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, on 28 June 2009 and was contested by the United States and Brazil. Despite being two goals down at half-time,...
. During this match, Hansson failed to award Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
a goal after a header by Kaká
Kaká
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite , commonly known as Kaká , is a Brazilian football attacking midfielder who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Kaká started his footballing career at the age of eight, when he began playing for a local club...
crossed the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
goal line before being cleared, but Brazil's eventual victory quelled the criticism.
Hansson was preselected as a referee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. While refereeing the second leg of the France vs Republic of Ireland 2010 FIFA World Cup play-off
France vs Republic of Ireland 2010 FIFA World Cup play-off
The France vs Republic of Ireland 2010 FIFA World Cup play-off, dubbed by the media as the Hand of Frog affair, was a controversial association football game played on 18 November 2009 in the Stade de France outside Paris between the national teams of France and the Republic of Ireland...
, Hansson was unable to see a handball by French captain Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
, which permitted France to score the decisive extra-time goal against Ireland in their World Cup second leg play-off at the Stade de France on November 18, 2009. This was his third major controversy in a high profile match in 13 months.
He came under the spotlight once again during the first leg of the 2010 Champions League last 16 match between FC Porto and Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. He allowed Porto players to take a quick indirect free kick deep inside the Arsenal penalty area despite Arsenal's players not being in position, which led to the second goal for the Portuguese side.
Although a controversial decision, the Laws of the Game do not state that the defense must be set for any free kick.
Ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Swedish Television - SVT - showed Rättskiparen (English Title: The Referee
The Referee (film)
The Referee is a 2010 Swedish documentary short film produced by Freedom From Choice AB and Druid Film about Swedish top football referee Martin Hansson and his dramatic road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The filmmakers Mattias Löw, Valentina Santi Löw and Orvar Anklew followed the...
) a documentary about Martin Hansson's road to South Africa.