In a period where there is a lot of talk about theinternationalization professional padel, it is striking to note that in Premier Padel Finals In Barcelona, ​​all the referees are Spanish, and exclusively men.

Of course, this is not about calling into question the skills of the Spanish referees present at this Master Finals, the last tournament of the season which brings together the 16 best players in the world. However, one may wonder whether it would not have been more appropriate to allow international referees, already active on the circuit Premier Padel, to participate in this event.

Among the selected referees, we find in particular: Marcos Villar, Federico Samper et Honorio Garcia, the latter having been at the heart of a controversy in Chile, although he remains a referee recognized for his qualities. The idea is not to criticize the value or skills of the referees present, but rather to emphasize that a circuit that wants to be international could have diversified its choices, even if the majority of the players in competition are Argentinian or Spanish.

Underutilized panel of international referees

Premier Padel and International Federation of Padel (FIP) have a panel of competent referees, who have officiated throughout the year at different tournaments. We are thinking in particular of the French Florian Couturier, Benoit Varin, and Mounir Djaballah, to the Belgian Peter Claeys, as well as to the Argentines Gustavo Cueto et Jonathan Mansur. Other names like Giuseppe Iacobucci, Valerio Polimanti, or Eduardo Alfonsi would also have deserved their place.

On the women's side, the number of international referees is even more limited. One more reason to highlight figures like the Italian Virginia La Gata, whose presence would have sent a strong signal in favour of the diversity made up of people from different backgrounds.

The Masters Tournament, a deserved reward?

Since it is about the masters tournament, it seems legitimate that this event rewards the best referees, those who have been the most active and efficient throughout the season. But was this really the case here?

And what do you think, dear readers? Is this a missed opportunity to further promote theinternationalization and diversity made up of people from different backgrounds in padel refereeing?

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Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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