Another Caymanian moves up on world football stage

(CNS): After some four decades involved in football as a player, official and administrator Alfredo Whittaker has been appointed to the referee committee of the games world governing body, International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) in the competitions division. In a release from CIFA local officials said Whittaker who has spent the last two years at CONCACAF’s referee department creating theoretical and technical programmes to improve the game will join the FIFA team, which appoints referees for international competition, develops best practices and standards for worldwide referees and oversees the laws of the game as it relates to officiating.

"I am excited to join FIFA’s team and continue to serve the game at the highest level,” Whittaker said. “My appointment is not only important to me but to my confederation. I am sure our work will advance refereeing in CONCACAF. “We are experiencing great results in officiating. This is because of the commitment and determination of our President Jeffrey and General Secretary Enrique Sanz in increasing the quality and numbers of officials. My concentration is development throughout the regions.”

Whittaker is one of two new additions to the referee committee. He replaces Carlos Batres from Guatemala in the development department, while Pierre Mounguengui from Gabon replaced Algeria’s Belaid Lacarne in the development division.

“Alfredo’s appointment is testament to the commitment he has shown to the game and the region,” said Cayman Islands Football First Vice President Bruce Blake. “His involvement with the FIFA referees' committee can only benefit referees in the Cayman Islands and the region.”

Whittaker is a former FIFA international referee and in his CONCACAF position has overseen sweeping developments with officiating in the confederation. In two years, the CONCACAF Referees' Department has implemented a classification criteria for referees and assistants, a monitoring procedure to identify female officials, and have increased the number of courses for referees assessors and instructors.