FIFA hires Massimo Busacca as head of referees

ZURICH (AP)—FIFA has hired Massimo Busacca of Switzerland as head of refereeing to prepare match officials for international tournaments.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter says in a statement that Busacca’s experience will be “particularly useful to our mission.”

Busacca is a member of FIFA’s Task Force 2014, responsible for improving soccer before the next World Cup. That includes having only full-time professional referees at the tournament.

The 42-year-old Busacca has won worldwide praise for his handling of the 2009 Champions League final. He was suspended months later after making an offensive gesture to Swiss fans.

Busacca angered host South Africa by dismissing its goalkeeper in his only match at the 2010 World Cup.