Sports Desk Reporter
Victor Gomes has secured another important position in football administration.
The former FIFA referee has been appointed chairperson of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Referees Committee.
The appointment adds to his responsibilities in continental and international football. He currently serves as vice-chairman of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referees Committee.
Gomes will also be involved in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar. He has been appointed as a technical instructor for the tournament, which runs from 19 November to 13 December 2026.
South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan welcomed his latest appointment. He praised Gomes for his contribution to football both on and off the field.
“SAFA is immensely proud of Victor Gomes and his continuous rise in global and continental football governance. His appointment as Chairman of the COSAFA Referees Committee reflects his dedication to raising the standard of match officiating,” Jordaan said.
“Victor has consistently flown the South African flag high, both on the pitch and in committee boardrooms, and we wish him every success in leading COSAFA’s refereeing structures,” he said.
Gomes spent much of his career as a match official. He refereed in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) from 2008 until his retirement in late 2022.
He was named PSL Referee of the Season twice, in 2012/13 and 2017/18. In 2011, he joined FIFA’s international refereeing panel.
His career included several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He was selected to officiate the 2021 AFCON final between Senegal and Egypt.
He also refereed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he concluded his active career.
Away from match officiating, Gomes previously chaired SAFA’s National Referees Committee. He also serves on FIFA’s technical advisory bodies, contributing to discussions on refereeing standards and strategy.
In 2018, he reported an attempted bribe before a CAF Confederation Cup match. The incident brought attention to his stance on integrity in football.
His appointment to the COSAFA committee adds a regional leadership role to his experience in refereeing and football administration.