Chris Beath has whistled full-time on his decorated refereeing career, with the A-Leagues record-holder to retire following this weekend’s Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final.
Saturday night’s blockbuster showdown between reigning premiers Melbourne City and Central Coast Mariners at CommBank Stadium in Sydney will be Beath’s 234th and final A-Leagues match.
The 38-year-old, who will oversee his fourth consecutive A-League Men Grand Final, will leave the sport with the most A-Leagues/ALM fixtures refereed, while he is fifth on the all-time men’s national league list.
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“I’ve had such an incredible journey with football over the past thirty years. From playing as a junior to refereeing elite football in more than thirty countries, including some of the biggest tournaments in world football,” said Beath, who debuted in 2008.
“My career wouldn’t have been possible without the support of a huge group of people over the years. Professionally, the team at Football Australia, and closer to home my long-term coach Ted Kearney, and my entire family, more specifically my wife Sara, and our three kids.
“For now, my focus and preparation are solely on the match coming up on Saturday which the team and I are very much looking forward to.”
Beath’s national league career spans 15 years, while he has been on the international scene for 11.
He was on the FIFA International List of Referees in 2011, and he was added to the AFC Elite Match Official Panel two years later, having officiated AFC Champions League games, plus AFC Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Beath was involved at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar after refereeing the Gold Medal match at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup decider.
“On behalf of Football Australia, I would like to thank Chris and express my gratitude for his significant contribution to our organisation and Australian football, where he has also represented Australia impeccably on the international stage for over a decade,” said Football Australia chief executive James Johnson.
“Chris’s consistency and longevity reflect his desire for excellence and passion for his craft. We wish Chris all the very best during this Saturday’s A-League Men’s Grand Final and for what’s to come post his retirement from professional football.”
“Chris Beath’s retirement marks the end of an incredible career in football refereeing. His record of 234 A-League matches, and four consecutive A-League Men’s Grand Final appointments demonstrate exceptional commitment and professionalism.”
“From his debut in 2008, to earning spots on the FIFA International List, and the AFC Elite Match Official Panel, Chris has been a beacon of excellence on a global scale,” added FA head of referees Nathan Magil.
“His role in major international tournaments such as the AFC Asian Cups, the Tokyo Olympics, and FIFA World Cups, has elevated his stature and positively influenced football domestically and globally.
“As Chris prepares for his final assignment as a video match official for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we acknowledge his immense contribution to football. His career will continue to inspire many upcoming referees. We’re thankful for his years of dedicated service and look forward to his ongoing involvement in football.”
