MIAMI BEACH, Florida - Twenty-four candidates received instructions on procedures and requirements needed of soccer match commissioners by the head of FIFA's competition services on Tuesday, part of CONCACAF's efforts to deepen its pool to meet the increased demands of the Champions League.

Gordon Savic conducted the day-long workshop for the would-be commissioners, assigned by CONCACAF or sub-regional authorities like UNCAF or the Caribbean Football Union and responsible for all facets of game operations from security to official reports.

"They're responsible for virtually everything," said CONCACAF Deputy General Secretary Ted Howard, who also was in attendance at the confederation's satellite office in Miami Beach. "They're FIFA's and CONCACAF's eyes and ears at a game,"

CONCACAF initiated its Champions League in August 2009 to replace the Champions Cup, creating a 78-game, 24-team competition that was designed to increase the competitiveness of clubs in the region.

Match commissioners are generally experienced soccer professionals, recruited from the ranks of former referees as well as league officials and executives, both current and former.

Tuesday's seminar will nearly double the number of available match commissioners to about 60, Howard said.