Refereeing Legend Victor Gomes Rumoured to Hang Up His Whistle After 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Refereeing Legend Victor Gomes Rumoured to Hang Up His Whistle After 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:14 PM
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  • South African refereeing is reportedly about to undergo an upheaval that will be felt after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
  • No-nonsense referee Victor Gomes is said to be considering retiring from blowing the whistle after the tournament
  • At his age, it would be unusually early to retire, especially for someone of Gomes' stature in the game

The South African refereeing fraternity has been blindsided by a stunning rumour.

The legendary Victor Gomes is reportedly considering retiring from the job after his duties at the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

victor gomes, south africa, 2022 fifa world cup, premier soccer league, referee of the season, mohamed salah, bribe
Victor Gomes has denied rumours that he will retire after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Image source: Getty Images.
Source: Twitter

The Daily Sun reported a source telling the publication, stated that Gomes could throw himself into his family business, adding:

"This will require his most attention, and I think he will also have to leave his day job of being a teacher. He is also a classical musical teacher. SAFA officials are up in arms trying to convince him to stay on as he's representing the association with pride across the world, and he's favoured by FIFA, too."

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However, the newspaper quoted Gomes saying to its reporter:

"I have no idea of what you're talking about."

Gomes grabbed the world's headlines after putting Mohamed Salah in his place during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations between Egypt and Senegal earlier this year in Cameroon, as per TimesLIVE.

The two-time Premier Soccer League Referee of The Season also gained huge respect and credit after refusing a bribe out in Nigeria back in 2018 while on CAF Champions League duty, as revealed by Goal.

Referee Victor Gomes speaks out about infamous Mohamed Salah moment in AFCON 2021 final that went viral

No-nonsense South African referee Victor Gomes has spoken out for the first time since the 2021 African Cup of Nations final in Cameroon where he became a global household name.

In a match that Senegal won on penalties after it ended 0-0 in regulation time, Gomes was seen reading Egyptian superstar Mo Salah the riot act, Sports Brief reported.

To cap off the memorable moment, he then offered Salah the whistle, sarcastically urging him to officiate the match after incessant complaining by the Liverpool forward.

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