The CBF made public this Tuesday (28/01) the list of 72 professionals selected to join the arbitration professionalization program in the 2026/2027 biennium. The group is made up of 20 field referees, 40 assistants and 12 video referees (VAR), who will work as contractors for the entity from this year onwards.
The objective of the project is for these professionals to be available to play in all 380 matches of Series A of the Brazilian Championship. Eventually, they may also be selected for Copa do Brasil games and for decisive rounds of Series B.
The arbitrators may accept or refuse the appointment. The CBF maintains a list of substitutes for replacement. The contracts will be signed in February, with the program officially starting on March 1st. The contracting will be under the legal entity model, which prevents the requirement for exclusive dedication, but establishes full priority for activities related to arbitration.
Arbitration list chosen by the CBF
Selected field referees (20)
- Alex Stefano
- Anderson Daronco
- Braulio Machado
- Bruno Arleu
- David Lacerda
- Edina Batista
- Felipe Lima
- Flávio Souza
- Jonathan Pinheiro
- Lucas Casagrande
- By Lucas Torez
- Matheus Candançan
- Paulo Zanovelli
- Rafael Klein
- Ramon Abatti Abel
- Raphael Claus
- Rodrigo Pereira
- Savio Sampaio
- Wagner Magalhães
- Wilton Sampaio
Selected assistants (40)
- Alessandro Matos (CBF)
- Alex Ang (FIFA)
- Alex dos Santos (CBF)
- Alex Tomé (CBF)
- Andrey Freitas (CBF)
- Anne Kesy (FIFA)
- Brigida Cirilo (FIFA)
- Bruno Boschilia (FIFA)
- Bruno Pires (FIFA)
- Celso Silva (CBF)
- Cipriano Silva (CBF)
- Daniela Coutinho (FIFA)
- Danilo Sweet (FIFA)
- Douglas Pagung (CBF)
- Eduardo Cruz (CBF)
- Evandro Lima (CBF)
- Fabrini Bevilaqua (FIFA)
- Felipe Alan (CBF)
- Fernanda Kruger (FIFA)
- Fernanda Nandrea (FIFA)
- Francisco Bezerra (CBF)
- Gizeli Casaril (FIFA)
- Guilherme Camilo (FIFA)
- Joverton Lima (CBF)
- Leila Naiara (FIFA)
- Leone Rocha (CBF)
- Luanderson Lima (FIFA)
- Luiz Regazone (CBF)
- Maira Mastella (FIFA)
- Michael Stanislau (CBF)
- Nailton Junior (FIFA)
- Neuza Back (FIFA)
- Rafael Alves (FIFA)
- Rafael Trombeta (CBF)
- Rodrigo Correa (FIFA)
- Schumacher Gomes (CBF)
- Thiagger Labes (CBF)
- Thiago Farinha (CBF)
- Tiago Diel (CBF)
- Victor Imazu (FIFA)
Selected VAR referees (12)
- Caio Max
- Charly Wendy
- Daiane Muniz
- Daniel Bins
- Diego Lopez
- Marco Fazekas
- Pablo Ramon
- Rodolpho Tolski
- Rodrigo Dalonso
- Rodrigo Guarizo
- Rodrigo Sa
- Wagner Reway
Arbitration salary: what is it?
Fixed salaries vary according to the category (CBF or FIFA). In addition to the monthly remuneration, professionals will continue to receive amounts per match and a bonus linked to performance. The CBF did not disclose detailed values, but the average salary of the 72 contractors will be approximately R$13,000 per month.
Among field referees, fixed salaries exceed R$30,000, and can reach even higher levels in the case of FIFA referees.
Criteria for choosing the 72 professionals
- Belonging to the CBF or FIFA
- Greater number of stopovers in Series A in 2024 and 2025
- Average grade in CBF performance evaluations in the 2024 and 2025 seasons
The professionalization program was developed based on the analysis of models adopted in European leagues such as Germany, England and Spain, as well as references from Latin America, such as Mexico. In November last year, the CBF created a working group with the participation of 38 clubs from Series A and B. Of these, 15 from Series A and 9 from Series B responded to the form sent by the entity. International consultants and arbitrators also participated in the discussions.
Total investment
The CBF estimates an investment of R$195 million in arbitration in the 2026/2027 biennium. The value was presented during the official announcement of the improvements planned for the season.
Investment distribution:
- OUR
- Semi-automatic deterrent technology
- Remuneration of referees and assistants
- Logistics
- CBF internal structure and team
- Technology and innovation
Of the total, R$25 million will be allocated exclusively to contracting semi-automatic offside technology in a two-year contract, valid for Série A and the Copa do Brasil.
Semi-automatic impediment
Despite the reserved budget, the technology still does not have a set date to debut at the Brasileirão. The delay is due to pending issues such as technical inspections, import of equipment and installation of the system, which uses hundreds of cell phones per round.
To date, 16 stadiums have been inspected:
Maracanã, Neo Química Arena, MorumBis, Mineirão, Arena MRV, Arena Fonte Nova, Arena Barueri, Barradão, Nilton Santos, São Januário, Ligga Arena, Couto Pereira, Cícero de Souza Marques, Vila Belmiro, Beira-Rio and Arena do Grêmio.
The next to receive inspections are:
Arena Condá, Baenão, Maião and Allianz Parque.
Four pillars of the program
Remuneration
Fixed salary, pay per game, performance bonus and benefits such as gym allowance.
Physical excellence and health
Weekly training, smartwatch monitoring (exclusive arbitration kit), follow-up with a nutritionist, psychologists and physiotherapists, in addition to four annual assessments that may result in temporary leave.
Technical training
Monthly immersions with theoretical classes, tests, practical sessions and analysis of controversial decisions and moves, with a focus on standardizing criteria.
Technology and innovation
Implementation of semi-automatic VAR, use of “refcam” (referee’s body camera) and other technologies approved by FIFA.
Other relevant changes
- Creation of an internal performance ranking throughout the season
- At least two referees will not have their contracts renewed at the end of the year
- Quarterly assessments; failure results in dismissal for three months, with payment of only a fixed salary
- Possibility of unilateral termination in case of recurrence of errors
- 28-day absence protocol for serious errors, with return in a lower division
- VAR central with new structure, safer and more comfortable
- Some Serie A games may be refereed by referees outside the elite group
- Until the end of the season, all Serie A games will feature VAR, semi-automatic offside, refcam and goal line technology
With the project, the CBF seeks to raise the level of professionalism of Brazilian refereeing, increase performance control and promote a gradual renewal of the framework, establishing a new standard of demand for national football.
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