All for the Hyundai A-League clubs are now back in pre-season training as they ramp up preparations for the 2018/19 Season.
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And while much of the focus has been on player movements and friendly fixtures, there’s a Hyundai A-League referee making a mark on the world stage.
Hyundai A-League referee Matthew Conger is in the running to officiate the FIFA World Cup™ final having been included on the shortlist of 12 whistle blowers who could take charge of the final few games in Russia.
Conger, who was in the middle of three Hyundai A-League fixtures last season, has already refereed Nigeria’s 2-0 group stage win over Iceland, and was the fourth official during England’s last-16 win over Colombia.
With Uruguayan referee Andreas Cunha assigned to France’s win over Belgium on Wednesday morning, it leaves the other three referees for the other semi-final between England and Croatia, the final and the third-place play-off game still to be announced.
FIFA’s referee shortlist for the final four games is as follows:
AFC: Alireza Faghani;
CAF: Malang Diedhiou;
CONCACAF: Mark Geiger, Cesar Arturo Ramos Palazuelos;
CONMEBOL: Andres Cunha, Nestor Pitana, Sandro Ricci;
OFC: Matthew Conger;
UEFA: Cuneyt Cakir, Bjorn Kuipers, Milorad Mazic, Gianluca Rocchi.
