Maltese official Christopher Francalanza has brought the curtains down on his refereeing career at the age of 37, the Malta Football Referees Association (MFRA) announced on their social media.
His final Premier League game was in May which marked his 250th appearance in the domestic top-flight while his international appointment in June was his 44th commitment abroad.
Francalanza’s career started in 2001 and was awarded the prestigious Junior Referee award seven years later.
His Premier League debut came in 2010 as an assistant referee and in the same year, Francalanza was invited to attend the first edition of the UEFA Core A.
In 2011, Francalanza was promoted to FIFA assistant referee and spent the following decade officiating in important games at international level.
A member of the MFRA since 2001, he was an ordinary member in 2008 and 2009 while between 2015 and 2019 served as General Secretary of the same organisation.
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 4 weeks agoSon scores but Thailand hold South Korea in World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held 1-1 at home by Thailand in...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 month agoJapan-N. Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, JFA says
Japan’s World Cup qualifier against North Korea will be played in Pyongyang as planned...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoGerman ex-FA bosses on trial over World Cup tax evasion
Three German ex-top football officials went on trial on Monday in a 13.7-million-euro ($14.8...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoSaudi Arabia formally launches bid for 2034 World Cup
Saudi Arabia formally launched its bid to host the 2034 World Cup on Friday,...
By AFP