International Competitions - March 04, 2020 12:30Futsalplanet Awards 2019Best Referee in the World: nomineesDay 1, let's begin! It's an unexpected pleasure, but definitely a special and amazing achievement, having reached the 20th edition of the Futsalplanet Awards, the most traditional and recognized futsal prizes annually released by Futsalplanet.com. That's our way to "return the favor" to this unbelievable game, for all the emotions provided since we felt in love with it, for all the brilliant people we could meet during the journey. Thank you, futsal!
So, as mentioned yesterday, we have decided to open the Futsalplanet Awards 2019 nominees announcement through the Best Referee in the World category: why? That's quite simple: once again it's basic to underline the indispensable role of referees in the sport. We firmly believe that all "sides" involved in futsal should support their work in the pitch rather than using them as excuses for mistakes or defeats. Why do we always indulge ourselves and we're never willing to accept refs eventual mistakes? Let's elevate the standard of our sport culture, everyone will benefit from such a change!
We're now ready to start: here we go with the nominees for the Best Referee in the World category: who will win?
Futsalplanet Awards 2019
20th edition by Futsalplanet.com
Best Referee in the World
Nominees
(in strict alphabetical order!)
Juan José Cordero Gallardo (Spain) - UEFA
Mohamed Hassan Hassan Ahmed Youssef (Egypt) - CAF
Nikola Jelic (Croatia) - UEFA
Hiroyuki Kobayashi (Japan) - AFC
Gelareh Nazemi Deylami (IR Iran) - AFC
Chiara Perona (Italy) - UEFA
Antony Riley (New Zealand) - OFC
Dario Javier Santamaria (Argentina) - CONMEBOL
Lance Vahhaitsma (United States Of America) - CONCACAF
Irina Velikanova (Russia) - UEFA
Previous Editions Winners
2018 -> Nikola Jelic (CRO)
2017 -> Sasa Tomic (CRO)
2016 -> Fernando Gutiérrez Lumbreras (ESP)
2015 -> Alessandro Malfer (ITA)
2014 -> Alessandro Malfer (ITA)
2013 -> Fernando Gutiérrez Lumbreras (ESP)
2012 -> Fernando Gutiérrez Lumbreras (ESP)
2011 -> Vadim Baratov (TKM)
2010 -> Danijel Janosevic (CRO)
2009 -> Michel Jean Bonnaud (BRA)
2008 -> Karoly Torok (HUN)
2007 -> António Cardoso (POR)
2006 -> not celebrated
2005 -> not celebrated
2004 -> Pedro Angel Galán Nieto (ESP)
Other categories nominees: Best Female Goalkeeper, Best Female Player, Best Goalkeeper, Best National Team, Best Club Coach, Best National Team Coach - Dimitri Nicolaou Award, Best Club, Best Young Player