Not too bad of a photo but not being able to see his eyes is very disconcerting to me. Also it seems like the background is just too busy, thereby adding to my uneasyness.
i'll give you points for meeting the challenge with a technically proficient shot, but i don't feel really "wowed" by it (other than the fact that you have access to shots like this--how cool is that!). the longer i look at, the stronger the image becomes, but i can't help buy feeling that it could also use the people being addressed.
Nice framing, color, and focus on your subject. It would have been nice if you could have gotten rid of the person behind him, but this was basic editing so your options were limited in dealing with that. I like the expression on your subject's face and also the soft focus on the fans and players behind him. The image works well, except that darn person behind your subject.
Good subject for the challenge. Reasonable composition. Would be improved if the guy behind the ref was not there. Also, the image is a bit too dark and focus is a bit soft on the refs face. BOL
A bit too dark, I'd have liked to see the exression in his eyes. I don't like that dude behind him, but I know it's hard to get a good composition when everything's changing all the time.