The Football Association (FA) has issued a formal challenge to FIFA’s appointment standards following the removal of Kenyan referee Peter Waweru from the upcoming World Cup officiating roster. The decision, announced late Tuesday, stems from a controversial penalty decision during a recent international friendly between Kenya and Uganda. Video replays indicate Waweru’s call was correct, yet FIFA cited “inconsistent performance” as grounds for his removal.
The FA argues this undermines efforts to diversify refereeing and questions the transparency of the evaluation process. Waweru, a veteran official with over 15 years of experience, expressed disappointment but declined to comment further. The incident has reignited debates about subjective criteria in referee selection, especially for officials from developing football nations.
FIFA has not released detailed metrics behind the decision, leading to calls for a more standardised assessment system. As the World Cup approaches, the FA’s challenge could prompt a broader review of officiating standards.
