Luanda - Angolan referee Jerson Emiliano will act as an assistant at the Paris Olympic Games football tournament, to be held from the 26th of this month to the 11th of August, in the French capital, making his debut in this type of competition.
Appointed by the Refereeing Committee of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Jerson Emiliano becomes the first Angolan referee in history to represent the country in this multidisciplinary event, in the sport and football.
In addition to the Angolan, the African continent will be represented by Zambian Diana Chikotesha, with whom he made a pair of assistants in the final of CAN'2023, held this year, in Côte d'Ivoire.
In a universe of 83 professional sports judges from Europe, Asia and America, the African continent will also be represented by three main referees, namely, Ismail Ali (Sudan) and Karboubi Bouchra (Morocco) and Dahane Beida (Mauritania).
The list also includes assistants Ahmed Abdoulrazack (Djibouti), Stephen Yiembe (Kenya), Elvis Noupue (Cameroon), Jermoumi Fatiha and Karboubi Bouchra (both from Morocco).
Benbraham Lahlou (Algeria), Ashour Mahmoud (Egypt) and Nabada Shamirah (Uganda) are part of the video assistant referee (VAR) team.
Jerson Emiliano, one of the greatest exponents of Angolan refereeing, has a vast record of service, highlighting his presences in the World Cups in Russia ́2018 and Qatar ́2022, in addition to the final of the African Cup of Nations (CAN ́2023) in Côte d'Ivoire.
Before, he was present at the U-15 (Chile), U-17 (Indonesia) and U-20 (South Korea) World Cups.
40 years old, Jerson Emiliano dos Santos has been part of the refereeing staff of the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) since 2004.
This year, he was awarded the award for best assistant referee in Southern Africa at the 1st edition of the 'COSAFA Awards ́2023', in a ceremony held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He rose to the international category in 2009, having participated in 458 matches, including CAN U-17, U-23, honors, CHAN, COSAFA and at club level.
The men's football tournament will start next Wednesday (24). The matches will be played in seven different stadiums and cities, namely Parc des Princes (Paris), Bordeaux, La Beaujoire (Nantes), Lyon, Marseille, Nice and Geoffroy-Guichard (Saint-Étienne).
There are 16 teams, divided into four series, with the best two qualifying for the quarter-finals, and the semi-finalists will compete for the bronze medal (3rd place).
France, Mali, Morocco, Argentina, Iraq, Japan, Spain, United States, Guinea, Israel, Paraguay, New Zealand, Dominican Republic, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Egypt are the countries present.
Spain (European champion) and Argentina (American champion) and France are the main favorites to win this tournament.
At African level, the Cameroon team won the gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games (Australia), by defeating Spain on penalties, 5-4, after a 2-2 draw in the regulation period, and could have a good performance.
Xavi, in the second minute and Gabri in the 45th minute, scored for the Spanish team, while Iván Amaya, with an own goal (53') and Samuel Eto'o (58') did so for the “indomitable lions”.
Angola has never participated in a tournament of its kind. Brazil is the holder of the trophy. IN/MC
