The man behind FIFA friendly with Nepal

Walter Pereira is the man behind the India versus Nepal International friendly match  on Tuesday. The former Income Tax player was an AIFF match commissioner to ensure everything went smoothly on the field and off it.

“It is an excellent experience doing a FIFA friendly. It is important for us to know how to organise things and to do the job in time. We must ensure the stadium has good infrastructure with the requirement of a doping control room, proper medical facilities, and dressing room for players with adequate amenities like cupboards, refrigerators and little things like hangers, etc. We also must ensure clean bathrooms and hygienic surroundings to make sure we meet every player’s basic requirement. The idea is to provide a stress-free environment for the teams, enabling them to play their best game. The Mumbai Football Arena (Andheri Sports Complex) meets all these requirements,” said the Office Superintendent of the Income Tax department.

Besides the above, the match commissioner must ensure the game starts on time and prevent any untoward incident. “We have to see everything is in order. We conduct manager meetings and team training programs to resolve issues if any. We strive to make the players’ stay comfortable right from their arrival until their departure. We ensure good seats to families and VIPs who come to watch the game,” says Pereira.  

Walter has done just one International game in Pune as a match commissioner.

“I am happy the game went well,” he says even though he had to mediate immediately after Nepal skipper Biraj Maharjan was given marching orders in the 68th minute to ensure tempers don’t flare up in the heat of the moment.

“I have done five matches (2018 World Cup qualifiers) as a referee assessor and more than 20 matches as a referee which included the World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and AFC Champions League. In India, I have officiated in more than hundred games in the I-League
and Indian Super League,” says a proud Pereria.  

The former Maharashtra player must travel extensively to do his job. “I am AFC referee recruiter as well. I have travelled to 70 Asian countries besides England, France and Spain in Europe. It was nice to conduct this game in Mumbai in the presence of my family,” he said.

Pereira has done FA referee instructors course in England and is a referee’s committee member in the AIFF and WIFA (Western India Football Association). He also works for the development of referees in Maharashtra and conducts AIFF referee instructor
courses.

Brief profile

WALTER PEREIRA

• Western India Football Association member and Present Employee of Income-Tax Dept And AIFF Match Commissioner, Referee’s Instructor, Referee’s Assessor, Referee’s Examiner cum Referee Inspector.
• Played for the Income —Tax Football Team From 1989 to 1997. Former Captain and coach of Income Tax football team.
• Also Represented the IT dept in Inter Revenue Athletics’ and basket-ball and volley-ball teams.
• 1989 to 1994 State Referee.
• 1995 to 1998 All India Football Federation National Referee.
• Officiated as referee at all the top major tournaments and championship conducted by AIFF.
• Fifa panel referee, 1999 onwards.
• Officiated at ifa Pre-world cup qualifiers and FIFA Men’s Olympic Qualifiers and 16 AFC International assignments.