Ravshan Irmatov

In June 2019, Ravshan Irmatov was appointed as the first Vice-President of the Uzbekistan Football Association. The first Vice-President of this organization is the de facto leader of Uzbekistan’s football. He began reforms in Uzbekistani football after long criticism and corruption scandals in this country's football. Due to a new job, announced a temporary break in the career of the referee. During the inauguration, he said, “If we all come together and work for the same goal, we will overcome any difficulties”.

On 27 December 2015 at Globe Soccer Awards ceremony in Dubai Ravshan Irmatov was named as Best Referee of the Year in 2015. On 31 December 2015 president of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree “On awarding Ravshan Irmatov with the order Buyuk Hizmatlari Uchun” (For outstanding services). On 4 March 2016 Irmatov was named Referee of the Year 2015 in Uzbekistan by Football Federation for 10th time after survey results among sport journalists.

Irmatov was selected as a referee at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. In the Group A match between Brazil and Italy on 22 June, he blew his whistle to award Italy a penalty and was seen pointing at the penalty spot. A second later, as play continued, Giorgio Chiellini scored with a low shot, with Irmatov instead pointing to the halfway line to signal a goal. Irmatov admitted to his mistake after the game saying: “While I was whistling for a penalty, out of the corner of my eye I saw the goal and I thought advantage should be played and gave the goal.”

Irmatov was selected as a referee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was in charge of the opening match between South Africa and Mexico on June 11. His appointment is the highest accolade so far for Asian referees in that year's World Cup. Irmatov equalled the record for number of matches in charge in a single FIFA World Cup when he took charge of the Netherlands-Uruguay semi-final. He took charge of the World Cup 2010 Group C Fixture, where England met Algeria in Cape Town – thus becoming the youngest official to take charge of an opening World Cup match since 1934 and the youngest referee of 2010 FIFA World Cup. Irmatov also officiated at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and was selected to referee the final between Australia and Japan.

He was named The Best Referee in Asia in four consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014), and he was selected to officiate the final match of both the 2008 and 2011 FIFA Club World Cup.

Irmatov's father was also a referee, working in Soviet competitions. He has been a full international referee for FIFA since 2003. He is considered one of the elite referees in the world. He was selected as a referee for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, where he refereed the group stage match between Gambia and Mexico, as well as the match between Chile and Congo.

Ravshan Sayfiddinovich Irmatov (Uzbek: Ravshan Sayfiddinovich Ermatov, Равшан Сайфиддинович Эрматов ; born August 9, 1977) is a Uzbek professional football referee. He has officiated in the Uzbek League since 2000, as well as at international level since 2003. As of June 2018, Irmatov holds the record for officiating the most FIFA World Cup matches.