Berlin: The World Cup's referees took centre stage on Monday, as FIFA threw open the doors to their plush hotel in the woodlands outside Frankfurt and invited the media in.
As is almost customary, the referees pledged to clamp down on illegal tactics, such as diving, elbowing and time-wasting, at this year's tournament.
The referees officiating at the 2006 World Cup in Germany have warned the teams involved that they need to obey the rules or run the risk of facing stiff penalities
On Monday, journalists had the chance to quiz some of the referees about the 'zero tolerance' rules, which aim to protect players and in particular those players who might receive more attention from defenders, due to their impressive skills.
Argentina's Horacio Elizondo has the task of officiating in the tournament's opening game between host nation Germany and Costa Rica.
"It means a lot. It was the final target of a 15 years long career as international referee. When I received the nomination I saw all my professional life like in a movie," Elizondo said.
Marco Rodriguez of Mexico will take charge of the England/Paraguay match on Saturday, but refused to be drawn on what it means to him to blow the whistle in such an important Group B fixture.
"I have to say again that we cannot comment on the games, but what it is important is to go on the pitch together with all the other colleagues strictly following the new rules decided by FIFA, "Rodriguez said.
Germany's Markus Merke will be doing his utmost to enforce the strict rules laid out by FIFA.
"Tackling will be punished very consequently and very hard, not only from behind but even tackling from the front or from the sides. If the health of the attacked is endangered it is possible to show the red card. We want to stop jersey grabbing and what has started in the last months and years: the excessive use of the elbows will be punished," Merke said.
The tournament's youngest referee, 32 year-old Mark Shield of Australia, will take charge of the Tunisia/Saudi Arabia match on June 14.
He outlined some of the technological developments that have been made.
"We have got the earpieces now. So we can talk in between the referees and assistant referees. They can talk to each other, which helps with mis-communication, I guess," Shield said.
After the recent bribery scandal in Italy, it was inevitable that the issue would raise it's head on the eve of the World Cup.
Angel Maria Villar, FIFA vice-president and chairman of the world governing body's referee's committee, remains convinced, though, of the honesty and professionalism of the 21 referees and their assistants in Germany.
He spoke at length about what went on in Italy.
"I think they were very disqualifying about facts that happened only in few countries. We are totally sure our referees are honest and competent people, who can do what they have been selected for and we have no doubt about their neutrality," Villar said.
FIFA also announced on Monday that it had plans for a new independent ethics committee and the introduction of professional referees in a bid to fight widespread corruption.
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