Australian Match Officials appointed to key international fixtures

Australian Match Officials have been central to some of the most important football fixtures played internationally since the start of 2022.

Already this year, four of Australia’s best female match officials have featured prominently at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup held in India, while currently three of Australia’s top male match officials are in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the FIFA Club World Cup heats up.

Over the weekend, Australia’s representatives in India – Casey Reibelt, Joanna Charaktis, Kate Jacewicz, and Lara Lee – took charge of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Final won by China PR.

Reibelt was in the centre for the match, with Charaktis serving as an Assistant Referee. Jacewicz was the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the Final, while Lee – who whistled three matches herself throughout the group and knockout phase of the tournament – served as Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR).

Meanwhile, Chris Beath (Referee), Anton Shchetinin, and Ashley Beecham (Assistants) took charge of Ah Ahly’s (Egypt) 1-0 victory over CF Monterrey (Mexico) at the FIFA Club World Cup over the weekend.

With four games remaining at the FIFA Club World Cup, the Australian trio may yet be involved in more matches as the best club sides in the world go head-to-head in the Middle East.

Football Australia’s Head of Referees, Nathan Magill, praised the Match Officials for their standards, commitment, and displays on the international stage.

“On behalf of Football Australia, we congratulate Casey, Jo, Kate and Lara on this achievement,” Magill said. “Their appointment to the Final of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is significant recognition of their performance not only at this tournament but on the international stage over a sustained period.”

We are extremely proud of how they represented Australian football while in India. The team are great role models as we look to inspire a new generation of match officials leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil next year.”

“Chris, Anton, and Ashley continue to perform strongly at the international level, which has been reflected in their selection to the FIFA Club World Cup. This tournament represents a significant milestone as they progress within the selection process for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which will be held at end of this year,” he said.

Beath, Shchetinin, and Beecham, as well as Shaun Evans (Fourth Official) also took charge of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier between IR Iran and Iraq in Tehran on January 28.