Assistant Referees Ryan Gallagher, George Lakrindis and Anton Shchetinin will join a growing number of Australian Match Officials on the FIFA International List in 2016.
Australia will be represented by 25 FIFA listed officials in 2016, including Matthew Cream who is Australia’s most experienced FIFA official having received his first FIFA badge in 2000.
Gallagher and Lakrindis have already received their first international appointment – Thursday’s Liverpool FC Legends v Socceroos Legends match in Sydney – whilst Anton Shchetinin will officiate in an Asian Champions League Play off later this month.
Brisbane based Shchetinin was surprised but honoured to have received his FIFA badge.
“So many colleagues dream of getting this phone call and it was hard to believe and it is impossible to express the feeling. I can’t wait for my first International appointment.”
Ryan Gallagher was humbled and reflected on the commitment and sacrifices required to reach this level.
“I have been on the A League as an Assistant Referee seven seasons and it’s a full time, 12 month a year commitment to maintain the expected standard. You regularly need to make choices between football, work and personal commitments, and to reach this level of refereeing has required a lot of personal and professional sacrifices.”
FFA Director of Referees Ben Wilson congratulated Australia’s newest FIFA officials.
“For Ryan, George and Anton this is a reward not just for their consistently strong performances in the Hyundai A-League, but for the many hours of training and dedication they have put in throughout their refereeing careers.
I want to congratulate our entire panel of FIFA officials and I’m confident they will continue to perform strongly on the international stage in 2016.”
Men Referees: Chris Beath, Strebre Delovski, Jarred Gillett, Peter Green, Alan Milliner, Ben Williams
Men Assistant Referees: Ashley Beecham, Paul Cetrangolo, Mathew Cheeseman, Matthew Cream, Ryan Gallagher, George Lakrindis, Nathan MacDonald, Anton Shchetinin, David Walsh
Women Referees: Kirralee Andruschak, Kate Jacewicz, Casey Reibelt
Women Assistant Referees: Renae Coghill, Allyson Flynn, Sarah Ho
Men Futsal Referees: Chris Colley, Scott Kidson, Ryan Shepheard, Darius Turner