DAVID SCARLETT
TT’s very own FIFA match official, Caleb Wales, is returning home after his first FIFA World Cup experience in Qatar.
This prestigious feat makes him the fifth Trinidadian match official (fourth TT assistant referee) to officiate at a World Cup. He was preceded by Douglas James (assistant referee, USA 1994), Ramesh Ramdhan (referee, France 1998), Merere Gonzales (assistant referee, France 1998) and Michael Ragoonath (assistant referee, South Korea and Japan 2002).
Wales followed in the footsteps of his father, Gregory Wales, who was also a national referee.
Twenty years since the last Trinidadian appearance on the world’s greatest stage, Caleb Wales was selected for the tournament on May 19 on the basis of his performances in Concacaf and FIFA competitions over the past few years – most notably the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal and the 2021 Concacaf Nations League final.
Before he landed in Qatar for the tournament, he told Newsday, “It means a lot to be at the FIFA World Cup. It is the realisation of a lifelong goal to be a part of one of the biggest events in the world. It is also a big deal for my family, friends, colleagues, country, and wider region. I intend to do my best and make everyone proud.”
Appointed assistant referee one on his debut in Qatar, he was part of the officiating team that took charge of the Group B fixture between Wales and Iran on November 25, which Iran dramatically won 2-0.
He was accompanied on the field by Mario Escobar (referee), Juan Carlos Mora (assistant referee) and Maguette Ndiaye (fourth official) and was virtually partnered by the video assistant referee (VAR) team of five in the video operation room (VOR) in Doha.
Leading up to the match, British newspaper The Sun published a satirical story about fans’ dismay over “Wales reffing Wales.”
Part of the article read, “(A fan) said: ‘Caleb Wales running one of the lines. Come on FIFA, where’s the neutrality?’ One added: ‘One of the linesmen is called Caleb Wales! It’s a fix!’”
Wales displayed his expertise with the flag, making two correct offside decisions in the game – one against Wales’s Gareth Bale in the 44th minute and the other against Iran’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the second minute of stoppage time after the regular 90 minutes played.
The sending-off of Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, in the 86th minute made Wales the first TT referee to be involved in a match that featured the VAR at a World Cup.
Hennessey was initially cautioned by referee Escobar for stopping a promising attack (SPA) just outside of the penalty area. However, Drew Fisher – the VAR – advised Escobar to review the incident and send him off for serious foul play, as his foot was in a position that endangered the safety of the opponent when the challenge was made.
Referee Wales was also required to manage the feisty players and coaches on the touchline, who were at boiling point in the latter stages of the match, in the understandable heat of the moment.
Although he was not appointed to matches with women, W
