Winnipegger Vergara to work Brazilian opener -- Canadian Press

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Winnipegger Vergara to work Brazilian opener


Sun Jun 4 2006




MUNICH -- Canadian assistant referee Hector Vergara will work defending champion Brazil's opening match at the World Cup, FIFA announced yesterday in releasing the officiating assignments for the first 16 matches of the tournament.
Brazil begins defence of its title June 13 in Berlin against Croatia.

The Winnipeg match official is the only Canadian among the 81 at the finals. Vergara works in a trio with referee Benito Armando Archundia and assistant Jose Ramirez, both from Mexico.

Vergara also worked at the 2002 World Cup, officiating nine matches including the third-place game.

There are just six officials here from CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Argentinian referee Horacio Elizondo will take charge of the opening match between host Germany and Costa Rica in Munich on June 9.
The refereeing assignments for the 47 remaining matches will be announced a later date.

Vergara, who doubles as chief administrative officer of the Manitoba Soccer Association, also officiated at the Athens Olympics and was an assistant at the final of the 2005 Gold Cup and a string of 2006 World Cup qualifying matches. Vergara's officiating crew came in for abuse from Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez in the final at FIFA's Club World Championship in Yokohama, Japan, in December 2005.

Despite outplaying their Brazilian opponents, Liverpool was beaten 1-0 by Sao Paulo. Three Liverpool goals were called off by Vergara for offside during the match, which was refereed by Archundia's team.