Ravshan Irmatov Best Referee of the Year

The winner is not a European, but an Uzbek, which is an important fact. Asia is the continent of football’s future due to the strength and size of its interest (over half the global population and with unbridled passion for this sport) and is almost ready. In terms of refereeing we are already talking top level. In women’s football Europe is already well behind if we look at the results from the Olympics and the World Cups. The leading coaches are already at work to transfer quality and encourage progress. Irmatov’s victory is proof that values are changing very quickly. Irmatov refereed the final and decisive match in the Asian Champions League. If he could, Collina would take him to France.