Johannesburg – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has appointed illustrious former referee Victor Gomes as the chairperson of SAFA Referees Committee.
Gomes takes over from SAFA vice-president Natasha Tsichlas.
“The appointment of Gomes is in line with world football governing body FIFA’s requirement that the chair of the Referees Committee must be a former elite referee,” said SAFA on Friday.
Commenting on his appointment, Gomes said he was “humbled” and added: “I want to thank SAFA and especially the President (Dr. Danny Jordaan) for the trust entrusted on me with this appointment.’’
Gomes said he will put in the “same commitment” in this job with the same professionalism “I showed during my days as the referee’’.
The new chairperson of SAFA Referees Committee said implementing VAR was one of the several priorities.
Gomes retired soon after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar having achieved almost everything any elite referee can dream of.
He handled the AFCON final between Senegal and Egypt in Cameroon before handling the CAF Champions League final between Al Ahly and Wydad AC at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca in Morocco, which the host club won 2-0.
Gomes was one of the few African referees appointed to officiate at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.