The Australian Soccer Referees Federation (NSW Division) has confirmed the resignation of two FIFA referees, Simon Micallef and Con Diomis.

Micallef, a Maltese, and Diomis are considered two of Australia’s most experienced FIFA officials but have made the decision after differences with the administration of Football Federation Australia regarding the selection process for the Confederations Cup tournament in Germany next month and the new Hyundai A-League.

Micallef’s decision to resign stems from the accumulation of a number of different matters over several years, culminating in the decision to send Australia’s No 3 ranked match official to this year’s Confederation Cup despite Micallef being the No 2 ranked referee in Australia in 2004/05.

The Executive of the ASRF (NSW Division) met this week to discuss the circumstances surrounding the resignations and now wish to advise the following:

Effective immediately, Simon Micallef and Con Diomis will no longer be available for international fixtures.

Micallef and Diomis have also decided to decline their nomination from the FFA to join the A-League referees panels.

The resignations of Micallef and Diomis follow the resignation/retirement of three other NSW FIFA match officials, Brett Hugo (referee), Kevin Humphries and Stewart Lockerey (sssistant referees), over the past three years.

The ASRF (NSW Division) has written to Matt Carroll, FFA Head of Operations requesting a meeting to discuss this situation and are yet to receive a reply from Carroll or the FFA.

Both Micallef and Diomis have expressed their frustration at the present system, but have indicated that their decision to resign is final and they are not looking for FFA to change its existing nominations to either tournament.

Micallef and Diomis will continue their involvement with the 2004/5 Soccer NSW Premier League competition before making a decision regarding the future of their respective refereeing careers.