After returning from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Victor Gomes has OFFICIALLY announced his retirement from refereeing.
Gomes had already determined his destiny some months ahead to the FIFA World Cup, with rumours of him hanging up his whistle.
At the time, however, neither the South African Football Association (SAFA) nor the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had received official correspondence from him.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reportedly attempted to persuade the 40-year-old Gomes to change his mind shortly after the possibility of his retirement became public knowledge.
Gomes disclosed to Robert Marawa on Marawa Sports Worldwide (MSW) that he is retiring from the field but not the game.
[LIVE] “The dream started when I was only a child. Now that I’ve achieved the World Cup I’m grateful and ready to spend time with my family. The 8 hour flight was enough for me to make the decision to retire. We discussed this with my wife.” says Victor Gomes.@robertmarawa #MSW
— Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) December 19, 2022
Gomes said that he would continue to help raise the South African flag since football is in his blood.
He said:
“The dream started when I was only a child. Now that I’ve achieved the World Cup, I’m grateful and ready to spend time with my family.
“The eight-hour flight was enough for me to make the decision to retire. We discussed this with my wife.
“I believe I’ve been better than those who have come before me, and I want others to come and also do better than me.
“Football is in my blood, I will leave the field but I will still contribute towards lifting the SA’s flag high.”
»Victor Gomes announces retirement from refereeing«