As a first step, the model of professionalization of Brazilian football refereeing presented by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) was well received by professionals and whistle experts. With the provision of fixed remuneration, in addition to evaluation and bonus systems, there is a perception that arbitrators will have more legal and financial security.
Former assistant and former president of the FPF (São Paulo Football Federation) arbitration committee, Ana Paula Oliveira congratulated the CBF for the initiative, but raised questions about the model adopted and the lack of clear guidelines for implementing the project.
“What were the criteria adopted to define the referees for the first project? Is it just the FIFAs? No, because not all FIFA women were selected. They used the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but I saw names from the 2025 season that were much lower than expected,” he stated.
For Ana Paula, the doubts extend to the criteria for evaluating and promoting professionals. “What valences do [a CBF] Will you evaluate? Physical? Performance on the field? Is the referee who uses VAR a lot capable? Game control decisions or just technical ones? What is the level of emotional intelligence?” he asked.
According to the CBF, membership in the FIFA (International Football Federation) framework was a relevant, but not exclusive, criterion. Of the 72 professionals initially selected, 11 central referees, 20 assistants and 12 video referees are linked to football’s highest entity. The others have ties only to the Brazilian confederation.
Despite Ana Paula’s reservations about the project’s execution, former referee Carlos Eugênio Simon positively evaluated the entity’s initiative. For him, the step taken was a long-standing demand for the category and represents a historic advance.
“First of all, I want to say that it was a great goal, a great goal for the CBF. It’s an old fight, I’ve always been a strong supporter of professionalization. Football is a business worth millions, and the referee has always been the only amateur figure,” said Simon.
Retired since 2010 and currently a commentator on ESPN channels, Simon stated that he was consulted by the entity during the preparation of the project and highlighted the importance of financial security. “The stress in football is very high, and referees need the security to dedicate themselves exclusively to this,” he said.
“I fought for 27 years in football, I reached the top, being the only Brazilian to participate in three World Cups, and even so I know what it’s like to train alone, look for doctors on my own, physiotherapists… Today there will be a different situation for those who arrive”, he added.
The referees selected for the elite group formed by the CBF will be linked to the entity as service providers. The contracts will be signed throughout the month of February, lasting until the end of the year. Everyone will have monthly salaries, variable rates and performance bonuses and must dedicate themselves primarily to the activity, but without the obligation of exclusivity.
Legally, CBF cannot demand exclusive dedication from service providers. Despite this, the entity’s idea is to offer a remuneration and training package that leads professionals to have arbitration as their main source of income.
According to the confederation, the first beneficiaries of the initiative will have individualized plans, with a weekly training routine, and will be under technological monitoring. They will have health support and will undergo four annual assessments, with physical tests and game simulations.
There will also be a training routine, with monthly immersions that include theoretical classes, tests and practical sessions in the field.
For former referee Renato Marsiglia, in addition to the fixed remuneration, the annual contract and physical and psychological support for referees are fundamental to the performance of the profession.
“The referee has to have security. He can’t be at the mercy of an injury. If he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid. He can’t be at the mercy of the mood of the arbitration committee that decides not to select him for some reason, and then he spends three, four rounds without being paid. That’s why I joined FIFA, I couldn’t leave my wife and children adrift depending on the referee schedule”, he said.
According to the CBF, what it calls “professionalization of arbitration” is part of a package of R$195 million that will be invested in the category until the end of 2027.
The entity will not disclose the specific values for each category, but, on average, each of the 72 contractors will have salaries of R$13,000 per month — this amount could reach a fixed R$30,000 for the group of central arbitrators.
