Seventeen Canadian Match Officials named to FIFA International Referees List
Canada Soccer is pleased to announce the appointment of 17 of its match officials to the FIFA International Referee List including five new additions for 2018.
Referees returning to the list from 2017 are FIFA Women’s World Cup™ France 2019 candidates Marie-Soleil Beaudoin, Carol Anne Chénard, as well as, Sheena Dickson, Drew Fischer and David Gantar. Assistant Referees returning include 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Russia candidate Joe Fletcher, and FIFA Women’s World Cup™ France 2019 candidate Chantal Boudreau, as well as, Daniel Belleau, Philippe Brière, Marie-Han Gagnon Chretien, Richard Gamache and Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho.
Newly appointed Assistant Referees for 2018 are Micheal Barwegen (Coaldale, AB), Chris Wattam (Vancouver, BC), Erina Cho (Coquitlam, BC) and Melissa Snedden (Oakville, ON). In addition, Chris Grabas (St-Léonard, QC) joins the list as Canada’s first ever FIFA referee in Futsal.
“Promotion to the FIFA International Referee List is an honour bestowed on Canada Soccer’s top match officials that have demonstrated the highest level of professional integrity and performance,” said Peter Montopoli, Canada Soccer General Secretary. “Congratulations to these 17 men and women who have all showcased themselves to be deserving of their place among the top echelon of match officials globally.”
Kamloops, BC native Michelle Pye will be retiring from the list after 2017. Pye was first appointed to the FIFA List in 2007 and was honoured with a Canada Soccer International Achievement Award at the 2017 Canada Soccer Annual Meeting of the Members.
Canada Soccer is responsible for the development and training of match officials for amateur and professional competitions in Canada. In partnership with our Provincial and Territorial Associations and sanctioned professional leagues, Canada Soccer provides development and training opportunities to advance to the national list of referees and nominations to the FIFA list.