World Cup referee Alireza Faghani heading to the A-League
He has officiated the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. Now World Cup refereee Alireza Faghani will bring his talents to Australia in a big boost for the A-League.
A-League
Don't miss out on the headlines from A-League. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Little more than a year ago, he was refereeing Harry Kane, Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi at the World Cup. Now Alireza Faghani is heading for the A-League.
One of the world’s best-known referees, the Iranian official has been appointed as the A-League’s fourth full-time ref after making the decision to move his family here to give his children more opportunities.
Faghani refereed Australia’s win in the 2015 Asian Cup final, the first leg of the Wanderers’ Champions League triumph in 2014 and the gold medal match at the Rio Olympics’ men’s football.
Stream every game of The 2019/20 Hyundai A-League season LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly >
He also officiated in the 1-0 win over Iraq at ANZ Stadium that saw Australia qualify for the 2014 World Cup — on the same night that Iran also qualified, much to his delight.
His appointment is a huge coup for a competition where refereeing standards have come under extensive scrutiny, particularly with the departure last season of the best referee, Jarred Gillett, and his standing is such that competition chiefs effectively created an extra full-time position to accommodate him.
Faghani revealed that he had first applied to move here before last year’s World Cup, after talking the move over with friends including former A-League referee Strebe Delovski and ex-NSL ref Eddie Lennie.
“I had (achieved) my dreams during this year, and at the World Cup (in Russia),” Faghani told News Corp Australia.
“My dream had been the final but I did the third v fourth game. I achieved my dreams, and I had always loved Australia and Australians.
“I have many friends who are living here in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Always they talk to me, why don't you move here, you can make a better life for your family and your children. I thought about it, and last year before the World Cup I decided to apply for a visa.
“I was supposed to come straight after the World Cup but I was busy with my university studies (a PhD in Physical Education). Two months ago I finished it, and so we have come here in the hope of making a better life for my family.
“It's my pleasure to be here, working in one of the AFC's top leagues. Regarding the organisation, using the VAR etc, the A-League is one of the top competitions.
“In the A-League, like in Japan and Korea, they have discipline, the football is clean, you don't need to talk too much, just let them play football.”
Faghani said he will referee in the same style here as he has in international tournaments, such as keeping a cool head in the volatile clash between Argentina and France at the World Cup last year.
MORE NEWS
Broncos bombshell: Bird set for release
How Poms unwittingly got Marnus back on Test track
“We have to referee consistently no matter who is playing,” he said.
“It depends how the teams are playing, the tactical approach, and how you prepare yourself for the game.”
It remains to be seen whether his international commitments will continue, though he has told the Iranian football authorities that he would like to continue as one of their representatives in the Champions League and in major tournaments.