FIFA Elite Panel referees entrusted with the Kolkata Derby as AIFF aims to avoid controversy

TO AVOID CONTROVERSIES and ensure fair match officiating during the first Kolkata Derby of I-League 2015-16, AIFF has appointed 4 FIFA-panel referees to be in charge during the high-voltage match.

C.R. Srikrishna from Tamil Nadu - who won the AIFF Referee of the Year award in 2011-12 - and A Rohan, who officiated the 2011 international friendly between Argentina and Venezuela held at the Salt Lake Stadium where this Derby is being held, are the two main referees involved with this match and one of them will be the first official. The two other officials will be Swapam Kennedy from Manipur and J Tony from Karnatak. Gulab Singh Chouhan has been appointed as the match commisioner.

Decisions taken by the referee have led to dire consequences in the past, most recently in the 'Black Derby' of 9th December 2012. So officiating in this match is perhaps one of the toughest refereeing jobs in the world. In the past, AIFF and IFA have more than once brought in referees from abroad to avoid controversy. But recently, as efforts to raise refereeing standards have started bearing fruit, Indian referees belonging to the FIFA Elite Panel have carried out this crucial responsibility.