Australian Match Officials added to FIFA panel
Three Australian match officials including Hyundai A-League referee Strebre Delovski got an early Christmas present, after confirmation that they have been accepted onto the FIFA panel.
Delovski, along with Assistant Referee Luke Brennan and Futsal Referee Ryan Shepeard, had their nominations accepted and may realise a dream for the trio of one-day officiating at a FIFA World Cup finals event.
The Sydney-based referee, who has been on the Hyundai A-League panel for the last four seasons was blown away by his elevation to the FIFA panel.
“Like every referee growing up, their dream is to get on the FIFA panel and now that it-s happened is fantastic,” he said after finding out from National Referee-s Technical Director Mario Van Der Ende.
“Getting this far has taken a lot of perseverance; a lot of hard work and obviously I-ve had tremendous family support.
Just like players, the ultimate goal is to participate at a World Cup finals and Delovski is no different on that front and while 2010 is already out of the question, Delovski has set his sights on Brazil four years later.
“2014 Brazil would definitely be unbelievable and guess that-s the goal I have to set myself for,” he added.
Van Der Ende, who refereed at two World Cup finals in 1994 and 1998, paid tribute to the three match officials on gaining this achievement.
“It-s a huge honour for them and I know in Strebre-s case it was a big surprise,” he said. “He (Delovski) has deserved it, since I started here I have seen him many times and when I see his progress, I think he deserves it.”
“It-s a big step up, not just in terms being more professional, but in how they have to manage their life around refereeing international matches.”