The referees committee's negotiations with Mateu Lahoz: Will he join the Saudi League?
In its ongoing efforts to elevate the level of football in Saudi Arabia, the Referees Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation continues its serious endeavors to bring about a qualitative leap in the local refereeing system. These efforts coincide with the tremendous development witnessed in the Saudi Professional League, as the committee has opened direct lines of communication with the former and controversial Spanish international referee, Antonio Mateu Lahoz, to explore the possibility of utilizing his extensive experience by appointing him as a refereeing consultant in the coming period.
Jeddah meeting and behind the scenes of the negotiations
Informed sources revealed that Swiss national Manuel Navarro, head of the referees committee at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, took advantage of Lahoz's recent presence in the Kingdom to hold an important meeting with him. The meeting took place at the Marriott Hotel in Jeddah, on the sidelines of the Kingdom's hosting of the Spanish Super Cup. The meeting focused on proposing a comprehensive project aimed at utilizing the Spanish referee's expertise to develop Saudi referees and raise the quality of refereeing performance to keep pace with the increasing speed and intensity of the Saudi league.
Who is Mateo Lahoz? A distinguished career and international experience
To understand the significance of this move, one must consider the extensive history of Spanish refereeing. Mateu Lahoz is one of the most renowned referees in Europe and the world over the past decade, distinguished by his strong personality and unique style of officiating matches. Lahoz has officiated numerous high-profile games, most notably the 2021 UEFA Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as his prominent role in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, including the dramatic match between Argentina and the Netherlands. Securing a name of this stature reflects the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's desire to bring in top international expertise to transfer knowledge to local referees.
Presentation and current obstacles
During the meeting, Navarro presented a comprehensive vision of the role Lahoz could play as a technical advisor overseeing referee development programs and honing their skills. Despite the seriousness of the Saudi offer, Lahoz remains hesitant at present. This hesitation stems primarily from his desire to remain close to his family in the province of Valencia, in addition to his current professional commitments. He works as a refereeing analyst for the radio network Cadena COPE and Movistar, the exclusive broadcaster of La Liga and the Champions League, thus providing him with professional and media stability in his home country.
Looking ahead: The door is still open
Although no final decision has been made, sources confirm that communication channels remain open. The Saudi Referees Committee recognizes that hiring a refereeing figure like Lahoz would contribute to reducing the overall reliance on foreign referees in the future by building a strong local generation. The possibility remains that the matter could resurface, especially given the ambitious Saudi sports project that seeks to attract elite talent in all areas of football, from players and coaches to administrators, and certainly referees and technical advisors.
