Following last month’s referees’ exchange with Northern Ireland, this coming weekend sees a similar initiative with another country – this time local officials will be in charge of a match in the Latvian Higher League.

Tomorrow, Elite Referee Mario Apap together with FIFA assistant referee Edward Spiteri and Elite assistant referee Thomas Debono, will be in charge of the important derby match - FK Spartaks vs FC Jurmala at Slokas Stadium, Jūrmala (kick-off 3pm)

Referees from Latvia will be coming over to Malta to take charge of the BOV Premier League Sliema Wanderers vs Hibernians to be played on Saturday 6 October at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.

Such opportunities are not only being given to match officials on the FIFA List, but also to other top Maltese referees officiating in the Premier league. In fact Gozitan referee Mario Apap will be making his debut as a referee in international football tomorrow in Latvia.

The Malta FA is pleased to invest in these exchanges with other countries as part of its commitment to upgrade the refereeing sector and provide opportunities to referees for further development.

Other referees’ exchanges will be announced in the next few weeks.