On Saturday, March 12, Spanish top referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz will be 45 years old. He reaches this age at a time when he is considered one of the best referees in Spain and in Europe. We have the best example with his appointment to the last Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City in Porto. A nomination that had its continuity in the European Championship last summer and after being chosen for the last World Cup in Russia. This week, he just whistled the Round of 16 duel between Liverpool and Inter Milan. Under normal conditions, the 2021-2022 season would be the last in Mateu's long refereeing career, reaching the 45 years, but it is certain that the referee will continue next season 2022-2023.
Since September 2020, this age limit no longer exists in Spain. The change in the employment status of the referees with an annual contract led to this change. From that date, it is every June 30 when the annual contract of referees and assistants ends, when the CTA decides which referees continue at the conclusion of each season. It starts with the referees who reach this age. And that decision will be for Mateu Lahoz to continue next season 2022-2023. The reason is more than justifiable. He is one of UEFA's candidates to participate in the World Cup in Qatar, which would be the second consecutive World Cup for him. For the CTA, this reason is more than enough for Mateu to continue in the elite of Spanish and world refereeing. In addition, Spanish football can continue to enjoy its seniority and experience. This explains why Carlos Del Cerro is also whistling this season even though the referee from Madrid will reach the age of 46 this coming Sunday, March 13. He is also another of the candidates of Spanish refereeing and UEFA to be at the Qatar event. In the case of Del Cerro, the next 2022-2023 season will be the second extension beyond 45-year-old. The third candidate for the World Cup is Gil Manzano, but he is not in this situation given that he has just turned 38 on February 4. It will not be until October when FIFA communicates the list of the referees from all confederations that will attend the World Cup. Then Spanish football and refereeing will be able to continue enjoying refereeing of Mateu and Del Cerro, until 30 June 2023. Then the two referees will hang up their whistle and could become specialized VARs.
Source: Mundo Deportivo