Oscar Ruiz appointed head of Egyptian refereeing committee - Egyptian Football
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced Wednesday that Oscar Ruiz, a Colombian former international referee and lecturer, has been appointed head of its refereeing committee.
The appointment, effective 1 March, was approved by the board during Wednesday's meeting, chaired by EFA President Hany Abo Rida.
The decision comes after widespread criticism of refereeing in the Egyptian Premier League amid controversies over VAR and allegations of bias in key matches.
The 55-year-old Colombian former FIFA referee, who has officiated in multiple World Cups and Copa America tournaments, is expected to bring a wealth of experience to Egypt's refereeing reforms.
🔴📋 | قرارات مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة في اجتماعه اليوم
اعتمد مجلس إدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم في اجتماعه اليوم برئاسة المهندس هاني أبو ريدة رئيس الاتحاد القرارات التالية:
- تعيين أوسكار رويز المحاضر الدولي في التحكيم رئيسا للجنة الحكام الرئيسية اعتباراً من أول مارس المقبل.
-… — EFA.eg (@EFA) February 19, 2025
He previously led workshops for Egyptian referees alongside FIFA's director of refereeing, Massimo Busacca, focusing on penalty decisions and VAR protocols.
His appointment is part of the EFA's recent overhaul of its refereeing system, which included the dismissal of former refereeing committee head Yasser Abdel-Raouf.
The appointment follows recommendations from figures, including Busacca, and hopefully usher in a new era of improved officiating in Egyptian football.
Other decisions approved during Wednesday's meeting included forming an organizing committee for Cairo's hosting of the CAF General Assembly from 9 to 14 March and submitting a bid to host the African Nations Under-20 Championships in 2027–2031.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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