Football Australia confirms 2024 FIFA International list of Australian Match Official

Football Australia today can confirm the appointment of 30 Australian match officials to the 2024 FIFA International Referee Lists.

The 2024 lists see significant change for Australian Refereeing, including the retirement of several, long-standing, and globally regarded Match Officials from the FIFA international list, marking the end of an era for Australian football.

Head of Referees Nathan Magill and CEO James Johnson have extended their gratitude and acknowledgment for the significant contributions to the Australian Football of these match officials.

Key Retirements:

• Kate Jacewicz, an iconic figure in Australian refereeing, will retire from the international list at the end of 2023. Jacewicz’s career highlights include being named AFF Referee of the Year in 2019, refereeing the Final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016™, and her influential role in the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ tournaments in France 2019 and Australia & New Zealand 2023.

  While stepping down from the international stage, Kate will continue her work domestically in the A-League Men’s Video Assistant Referee Panel, and A-League Women’s Referee panel and will continue as a FIFA-listed international video match official, eyeing a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

• Sarah Ho, another prominent name in Australian refereeing, is also concluding her international career. Sarah has long been associated with Australian international refereeing having first been nominated in 2003. Ho’s international achievements include selection at three FIFA Women’s World Cup™ tournaments in China 2007, Germany 2011 and Canada 2015, and two Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, as well as being named AFC Assistant Referee of the Year in 2011.

  Sarah will continue her career in the A-League Women’s Assistant Referee panel and A-League Men’s Video Match Official panel.

• Nathan MacDonald, Lance Greenshields (Assistant Referees), and Darius Turner (Futsal) retired from their positions on the international lists. Their careers have been marked by dedication and excellence, contributing significantly to Australian Refereeing within AFC and FIFA. All three officials will continue to officiate domestically in their respective roles.

Alongside these retirements, Football Australia is excited to announce the addition of new referees and assistant referees to the international list. This fresh talent promises to continue the legacy of excellence which has been long associated with Australian Match Officials.

 Nathan Magill, Head of Referees at Football Australia, commented, “The retirement of these outstanding match officials marks the end of a significant chapter in Australian football. Their dedication and professionalism have set a high standard and inspired a new generation of referees. We are deeply grateful for their contribution to the game. Both Kate and Sarah have paved the way for Australian match officials on the field and we are looking forward to retaining their knowledge and experience as we shape a new generation of world-leading match officials.”

James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, added, “These referees have been outstanding ambassadors of Australian football on the international stage. Their contributions have been instrumental in enhancing the reputation of Australian football globally. We wish them the best in their future endeavours and are excited to support the growth and development of our new referees who continue as international match officials, along with those joining for the first time.”

The 2024 FIFA International Match Official lists see that Australian football is again strongly represented at the global level, with a record number of local officials appointed to international lists ahead of a busy calendar of global football. For the first time, Football Australia has secured an additional Women’s Assistant Referee position on the lists which recognises the development of Australian Match Officials.

Five of the Australian FIFA officials will represent Australia at the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2023™, with Alireza Faghani, Shaun Evans, Ashley Beecham, Anton Shchetinin and Kate Jacewicz selected as match officials for the tournament in Qatar.

Nathan Magill, Head of Referees at Football Australia, congratulated those selected to the 2024 International lists, “Congratulations to those who have been selected to the 2024 international lists of match officials on behalf of Football Australia and the Referees Committee. Australia has a long-standing reputation for producing highly capable match officials who perform well globally, and I am confident that the 2024 cohort will continue to uphold our outstanding reputation”.

“The selection of a record number of Australian-based match officials again demonstrates the exciting pathway available through refereeing football in Australia,” concluded Magill.