Kiwi ref on final shortlist
Kiwi referee Matt Conger is among Fifa’s shortlist of officials who could potentially take charge of the Fifa World
Cup final in Moscow on Monday (NZT).
Conger was referee for Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Iceland in the group stages and the 39-yearold from Palmerston North was the fourth official for England’s win on penalties against Colombia in the round of
16.
The Fifa shortlist includes 12 referees from six continental confederations. Andres Cunha, of Uruguay, has been assigned France and Belgium’s semifinal, while Cuneyt Cakir, of Turkey, will be the man with the whistle for England and Croatia’s last four clash.
Fifa is yet to announce the referees for the final and third place playoff, meaning Conger could be involved in either match, and possibly the decider at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
Conger, who is Oceania’s sole representative, has previously refereed at under-20 World Cups in 2015 and 2017, as well as the Rio Olympics in 2016.