Chinese football authorities have announced foreign referees will be drafted in to work on the final weeks of the Chinese Super League season in a move to boost the standard of officiating in the big-spending league.
Sweden’s Jonas Eriksson and Tony Chapron from France will referee Tianjin Quanjian’s meeting with Shandong Luneng and Shanghai Shenhua’s clash with Tianjin Teda respectively as the first part of a move to “improve the accuracy of officiating”, the Chinese Football Association said in a statement on Thursday.
“In order to ensure a smooth finish to the season, from round 27 onwards the Chinese Football Association will invite referees from Europe and the Americas to officiate on crucial games,” the statement said.
French referee Tony Chapron will take charge of Chinese Super League matches in the final rounds. Photo: Reuters
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“The improvement of the quality of officiating has been an important part of the CFA’s work and inviting established foreign referees will improve the accuracy of officiating while also providing education and communication opportunities for Chinese referees.”
While the move is seen as an attempt to improve the standard of officiating in the four remaining rounds of the domestic season, the country has had to address serious issues in the past.
