Italian Antonio Damato is the new Chairman of the Cyprus Football Association’s Referees Committee, as announced  by CFA President Charis Loizides during the press conference for the presentation of the refereeing sponsor, Wurth.

Antonio Damato is considered one of the most prominent figures in Italian and European refereeing, with extensive experience in referee training and development.

Since 2024, he has held the position of Head of the Technical Refereeing Department of the Italian Football Federation, with his main responsibility being the training and skill enhancement of Italy’s Elite referees, with a strong focus on the application of VAR and the development of the next generation of referees.

From 2019 to 2021, he served as Chairman of the Serie C Referees Committee, and during the 2023–2024 season, he was a member of the Serie A Referees Committee.

Since 2019, he has been a UEFA Referee Observer, and since 2022, he has served as an instructor in the “UEFA New International Referee Program.”

From 2006 to 2018, he officiated matches in Italy’s top division, and from 2010 to 2016, he was an international first-category referee.

During the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 seasons, he was awarded as the best Italian referee.

Mr. Damato is expected to arrive in Cyprus in the coming days to officially assume his duties as Chairman of the CFA Referees Committee.