World Cup 2022

THE Qatar World Cup is fast approaching and we have been taking a little look at the refs chosen to officiate at this year’s tournament.Andres Matonte is one of nine South American referees taking part in Qatar.
Andres Cunha was the last Uruguayan to referee a World Cup match, back in 2018Credit: AFP
Here is all you need to know about him.
Who is Andres Matonte?
Andres Matonte was born in 1988.
He made his debut at the age of just 20, refereeing in the Uruguayan Championship.
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Since 2019, he has been an official FIFA referee and has taken charge of some important matches.
His involvement in the 2021 Arab Cup and the South American World Cup qualifiers have earned him a spot at this year’s tournament.
Andres Matonte was the referee for Nacional’s match against LiverpoolCredit: Getty
More recently, the 34-year-old took charge of Liverpool, no not that one, and Luis Suarez, yes that one, scored two against them.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona star has returned to the Uruguayan Primera Division and netted twice for Club Nacional against Uruguayan club, Liverpool FC.
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THE World Cup is nearly here and SunSport have been taking a look at the referees selected for the tournament.Ma Ning is China’s only representative in Qatar, after his country failed to qualify.
Ma Ning is the only Chinese referee selected to officiate in QatarCredit: Alamy
You can read more about him below.
Who is Ma Ning?
Ma Ning was born in 1979 and has been a listed FIFA referee since 2011, taking charge of a range of Asian World Cup qualifiers this year.
Whether it be on the field or the playground, he is never without his whistle, working as a teacher alongside his refereeing career.
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In 2015, Ma Ning was at the centre of controversy after producing three red cards in a Shanghai derby between Shanghai SIPG and Shanghai Shenhua.
Four years on, the 43-year-old was selected to become one of China’s professional referees, leading to his appointment in Qatar.
He is just the second Chinese referee to be hired for the tournament since Lu Jun in 2002.
However, Ma Ning won’t want to follow in his footsteps after Lu was jailed in 2012, admitting to match-fixing games.
Jun Lu was the last Chinese referee to take part at the World CupCredit: EPA
Ma Ning entered the limelight again this summer, after he was deliberately knocked over by Brazilian player Henrique Dourado whilst officiating a match in the Chinese Super League.
Days later, the Chinese FA announced a 12-month suspension of the player, the most severe penalty in the history of the division.
Ma Ning will be hoping for a smoother ride at this year’s World Cup, though he will be well aware from his day job that football can bring out the ‘school child’ in anyone.
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QATAR is upon us and Mustapha Ghorbal has been announced as one of the officials who will feature at the tournament.Ghorbal is one of four African referees called up to Qatar.
Algeria failed to qualify for the World CupCredit: Getty
Here is all you need to know about him.
Who is Mustapha Ghorbal?
Mustapha Ghorbal was born in Oran in 1985.
He has been a full international referee since 2014.
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The 37-year-old made his debut in the Algerian first division in 2011 and has gone on to referee some huge tournaments.
He was selected twice to officiate the FIFA Club World Cup, the Under-20 World Cup and the Arab Cup.
Ghorbal has also refereed at the Africa Cup of Nations in back-to-back tournaments.
In 2020 he was given the whistle for the CAF Champions League final in Egypt.
Ghorbal took charge of the World Cup qualifier between Egypt and SenegalCredit: EPA
More recently, the Algerian took charge of a World Cup qualifier which saw Senegal book their place in Qatar, forcing Egypt to miss out.
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THE World Cup is fast approaching and FIFA have announced that Mario Escobar will join the list of officials in Qatar.The Guatemalan is one of eleven South American referees selected to officiate the tournament.
Mario Escobar took charge of the Concacaf Gold Cup finalCredit: AP:Associated Press
Here is all you need to know about him.
Who is Mario Escobar?
Mario Escobar was born in 1986.
He currently referees in the Guatemalan first division and has been a FIFA registered referee since 2013.
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The 36-year-old was summoned to officiate at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Under-17 World Cup which took place in the same year.
He also has significant experience of tournament finals, taking charge of the Gold Cup final which saw Mexico beat the United States 1-0.
Mario Escobar was selected to referee at the Under-17 World Cup in BrazilCredit: Getty
The following year he was handed the whistle for the CONCACAF Champions League final between UANL and Gareth Bales’s new team, Los Angeles FC.
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QATAR is just around the corner and Raphael Claus has been confirmed as one of the tournament’s referees.The South American will join 38 other officials in the middle east as the best teams in the world battle it out for World Cup glory.
Raphael Claus has been appointed as a referee at this year’s World CupCredit: Reuters
Here is a bit more information on him.
Who is Raphael Claus?
Raphael Claus was born in 1979 in Santa Barbara.
He is one of two Brazilian referees officiating at the tournament, with Wilton Sampaio also making the trip.

Clauss currently represents the Brazilian Serie A league, refereeing over 40 games in the last 12 months.
However, he also has experience of blowing his whistle in international tournaments.
In June 2019, Clauss was selected to referee the Under-20 World Cup, taking charge of the semi-final between Ukraine and Italy.
The 43-year-old has since been involved in several Copa America matches, officiating in the third placed-final between Colombia and Peru.
Raphael Claus refereed Lionel Messi and Argentina in the last yearCredit: Getty
More recently, Clauss has overseen plenty of South American World Cup Qualifying matches, most notably watching both Colombia and Chile miss out.
He has refereed Argentina three times in the last 12 months, producing 19 yellow cards in that time.
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THE World Cup is upon us and Australian referee, Chris Beath will be a part of the action.Making up a total of 39 referees, Beath will be the only representative from Down Under to officiate in the tournament.
Chris Beath will be officiating at the Qatar World CupCredit: Getty
Here is a little bit more about him.
Who is Chris Beath?
Chris Beath was born in Australia in 1984.
He currently referees in the Australian A-League and was added to the FIFA International Referees List in 2011.
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He has since officiated international matches including the Kirin Challenge Cup contest between Japan and Iceland and an international friendly between Brazil and Argentina.
Chris Beath has refereed Brazil twice in his careerCredit: EPA
the 37-year-old was given the Referee of the Tournament award at the 2002 Kanga Cup.
More recently, Beath was selected to referee at the 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
He also featured at the 2020 Olympic Games, taking charge of the Gold Medal Match between Brazil and Spain.
Chris Beath officiated the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup finalCredit: AFP
This led to his appointment at the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, where he officiated the final between Premier League side Chelsea and Palmeiras.
Beath certainly isn’t shy of making big decisions, awarding Chelsea a penalty in extra time before showing Palmeiras’ Luan Garcia a red card in the final minute.
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THE World Cup is fast approaching and Ivan Barton has been announced as one of the referees who will make sure games run smoothly in Qatar.Barton is one of three officials representing Central America at this year’s tournament.
Ivan Barton officiated the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament which Mexico wonCredit: AP:Associated Press
Here is some more information on him.
Who is Ivan Barton?
Ivan Barton was born in Santa Ana in 1991, making him the third youngest referee at the World Cup, behind Kevin Ortega and Said Martinez.
Barton currently referees in Salvador’s Primera Division and was appointed as a FIFA referee in 2018.
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The 31-year-old has plenty of experience officiating international tournaments, taking charge of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil.
Here, he came across the likes of Manchester city star Phil Foden, who will be in Gareth Southgate’s plans for Qatar.
Ivan Barton officiated at the Brazil Under-17 World Cup in 2017Credit: AP:Associated Press
Aside from football, Barton obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Sciences from the University of El Salvador.
He has since become a professor at the institution.
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