SAFA appoint Victor Gomes as referee committee chairperson

Former FIFA referee Victor Gomes was on Friday appointed as the chairperson of the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) referees committee.

Gomes, who takes over from SAFA vice-president Natasha Tsichlas, said that one of the mandates he would pursue was the implementation of VAR.

"I want to thank SAFA and especially the president [Danny Jordaan] for the trust entrusted on me with this appointment," said Gomes following the announcement.

"I will put the same commitment in this job with the same professionalism I showed during my days as the referee," he added, saying implementing VAR was one of the priorities he would be tasked with, according to the SAFA website. 

Gomes, who was on the refereeing panel for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, retired soon after the tournament. 

He has refereed in numerous high-pressure matches, including the AFCON final between Egypt and Senegal in 2022 as well as the CAF Champions League final between l Ahly and Wydad AC.