Australian referees to take charge of Tokyo 2020 Gold Medal match

Football Australia today recognised Australian match officials Chris Beath, Anton Shchetinin, and George Lakrindis for their appointment to the Tokyo 2020 Men’s Football Tournament Gold Medal match. 

Tomorrow at the Yokohama Stadium south of Tokyo, Beath, Shchetinin, and Lakrindis will take charge of Brazil against Spain – a fixture that will be viewed by a global audience of millions.

The fixture will kick-off at 8.30pm local time (9.30pm AEST). 

Australian match officials have featured prominently at Tokyo 2020, with Australia’s men’s trio having officiated two matches prior to selection for Saturday’s Final.

Beath, Shchetinin, and Lakrindis – who referee regularly in the A-League – took charge of Mexico-France in the Group Stage, before overseeing Brazil-Egypt in the Quarter Finals. 

All three men are members of FIFA’s Panel of International Referees, with Beath having been appointed in 2011, while Shchetinin and Lakrindis were both elevated to the global list in 2016.

Beath, Shchetinin, and Lakrindis will be able to share their experiences from the Gold Medal match with fellow A-League match official, Alireza Faghani. Faghani whistled when Brazil defeated Germany on penalties at Rio 2016.  

Australia was also represented at Tokyo 2020 by one of Australia’s leading female referees, Kate Jacewicz. 

Jacewicz refereed two matches in the Women’s Football Tournament, taking charge of the high-profile Group Stage clash between Netherlands and Brazil, before officiating the Netherlands-USA Quarter Final last week.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson, said: “The ongoing development of Australian referees as a vital link in player development and overall match experience is an important component of Football Australia’s strategic agenda. Having leading match officials including Chris Beath, Anton Shchetinin, George Lakrindis, and Kate Jacewicz representing Australia on the world stage serves to highlight the pathway aspiring Australian match officials can take, and the local and global opportunities available to our top match officials.”

“Our Matildas and Olyroos both produced some exceptional performances at Tokyo 2020, but so too have our match officials. To be recognised by FIFA for such high-level appointments is testament to each referee’s application and dedication to the role,” he said.