China is set to establish its first-ever football referee academy, as reported by
Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS. The initiative, led by the Chinese Football Association (CFA), aims to raise the level of football refereeing to international standards.

The programme will focus on referee training, scientific officiating methodologies, practical assessments, and international collaboration to address existing gaps in referee development.

The initiative is expected to reshape referee training, combining theoretical education with advanced practical evaluation to enhance the overall quality of officiating in Chinese football.

The latest CFA annual digital report revealed that the number of registered referees in China increased to 20,146, reflecting a substantial growth of 7,337 officials compared to 2023.

Additionally, Chinese referees were assigned to 77 international competitions in 2024, reinforcing the country’s growing presence in global football officiating.

Photo: 
Global Times