World Cup referee Alireza Faghani savours his move to the A-League

Iranian referee Alireza Faghani was prepared to give up his career to start a new life in Australia with his family. Fortunately, one of world’s best whistleblowers was snapped up by FFA.

Having fulfilled his dream of officiating at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Iranian referee Alireza Faghani was ready to give up his career to ensure a better life for his family in Australia.

“They sacrificed for me, now I had to sacrifice for them,” Faghani said.

Fortunately for Faghani, who refereed four matches at last year’s World Cup in Russia, including the playoff for third between England and Belgium, a best-of-both-worlds scenario eventuated.

Faghani, 41, not only moved with his family to Brisbane, he was appointed as a full-time A-League referee by Football Federation Australia and is also Iran’s nomination to officiate at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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“I had said if I could continue my FIFA career and officiate in the A-League that would be the best, but if not, it was already enough for me and I would stop refereeing so we could come to Australia,” he said.

“But then this happened and it’s allowed me to be here and continue on until 2022 in Qatar.”

Referee Alireza Faghani has moved from Iran to Brisbane. Picture: Peter Wallis

Faghani and his wife Fatemeh arrived in Queensland last month with their son Sepehr, 17, and seven-year-old daughter Saghar.

“I have many friends in Australia who I met during the Asian Cup in 2015, and they encouraged me to come to Australia in the hope of having a better life for my children,” he said.

“Most of my friends are in Brisbane.

“Some are in Sydney, and some are in Melbourne, but in Melbourne I don’t like the weather. The lovely people and the lovely weather in Brisbane made me want to come here.

“My children love it here because it’s totally different to the schools in Iran.

“My wife is far from her family but she has to be with her children and she likes it here as well.”

Faghani laying down the law to superstar Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2017 Confederations Cup in 2017. Picture: AFP

Despite having started a new life in Brisbane, Faghani said Iran still had a lot to offer and was often perceived wrongly by those who had not been there.

“For sure, if you came to Iran, we have many nice places, maybe not like Brisbane, but many beautiful places,” he said.

Faghani, who became a FIFA referee in 2008, officiates his second A-League match on Saturday in Geelong where newcomers Western United host Perth Glory.

He was control of last Saturday’s clash between Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners at Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium, where his ability to let the game flow was evident.

“I don’t like to whistle for nothing … but it depends on the teams,” Faghani said.

“If they like to play, I let the game go but if they don’t want to play and want to have mass confrontations it can be difficult for the referee and no one enjoys football.’’