Football Federation of American Samoa match officials are going through a week-long FIFA MA Referee Course to study up on the new changes to the Laws of the Game in time for the association’s main competition, the National League.
John Chia Eng Wah, a FIFA Instructor from Singapore says, “I am here to help achieve FIFA’s aims in terms of refereeing, and that’s to help the (Member Association) improve their level of referees, assistant referees and instructors.
Another is a support of courses for refereeing and prepare match officials for FIFA competitions. 
Opening the course on behalf of FFAS President Faiivae Alex Iuli, CEO Tavita Taumua said at the opening, “It is a lot to learn but I have confidence in all of you, especially those of you who are current FFAS referee and assistant referees for our association.”
He added that some of these new rules are not new to the group because they were used during the recent OFC U-20 and U-17 tournaments.
Nevertheless, Taumua said, it’s good that now all match officials will be introduced to the changes to these Laws of the Game.
Chia Eng Wah told the participants that being a referee is better than being a player.
He said, “In Singapore our National team has never won the (Asian Confederation Football) Cup, and we have never made it to the FIFA World Cup.
“However, a Singapore referee has made it to the world’s biggest stage as a referee or assistant referee.” Chia Eng Wah explained. “That’s why I believe being a referee is the better option.”
Some of the changes include the refereeing being able to issue yellow or red cards before the start of a game; the kickoff with the ball not required to start with a forward pass on the halfway line and players feinting on a penalty kick will now receive a yellow card.
One law that should be beneficial to American Samoa is the allowance of drink breaks during extremely hot and humid conditions.
During the opening of the course, Chia Eng Wah, presented on behalf of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Massimo Busacca, the Head of FIFA Referees Department, a Fitness Test electronic gates and projector for use by the local match officials and instructors.
