The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) announced on Thursday afternoon (13) a restructuring in charge of its arbitration committee. Former referee Wilson Luiz Semene, who since 2022 presided over the agency, has been fired.
The entity also set up an advisory committee of international experts to act in conjunction with the new arbitration committee.
During an event broadcast by CBF TV, President Ednaldo Rodrigues informed the names of Argentine Néstor Pitana, Italian Nicola Rizzoli and Brazilians Sandro Meira Ricci and Luiz Flávio de Oliveira as members of the committee.
Pitana was the referee of the 2018 World Cup final and also begged the decision of the 2021 Copa Libertadores. Rizzoli whistled the 2014 World Cup final, held in Brazil.
The arbitration committee, in turn, will be coordinated by Rodrigo Cintra and will also be formed by Luís Flávio Oliveira, Marcelo Van Gasse, Fabrício Vilarinho, Luiz Carlos Câmara Bezerra, Eveliny Almeida and Emerson Filipino Coelho.
“The CBF wants to inform everyone a restructuring of the new arbitration committee. It is multidisciplinary, technical, with international names and also with those who are part of Brazilian football, with experience on the pitch,” said Ednaldo.
In a statement, the entity explained that the Specialist Committee will be in daily contact with the Commission, with the mission of analyzing controversial bids and, from decisions made, directing the work of the referees.
The CBF also pledged to professionalize the country’s referees in the next 23 months.
Ednaldo Rodrigues also thanked Semene for the three years he commanded the arbitration commission, but said the changes now aim to make fans and clubs quieter in relation to the whistle.
“It is a work not only of the commission, the structure of arbitration. It has to be communicated with clubs and players so that there can be no situations that happen and put that arbitration is the culprit,” said the top hat.
