Vietnamese female referee to participate in FIFA's VAR course

By Hoang Nguyen October 19, 2021 | 11:16 pm PT

Referee Bui Thi Thu Trang (C) during a domestic league game. Photo by Vietnam Football Federation

Bui Thi Thu Trang has been invited by FIFA to take a video assistant referee (VAR) course for referees in Doha, Qatar.

Trang is the only Vietnamese referee to receive the invitation.

After the course in Qatar, Trang will also take part in another VAR training for female referees, hosted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1.

When Trang completes the course, she will be appointed referee for the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021, set to commence from Nov. 2 to 14 in Aqaba, Jordan.

Earlier this year, Trang and assistant referee Truong Thi Le Trinh were named in the shortlist of 750 candidates worldwide to officiate during 2023 Women's World Cup. In the end, 56 referees and 100 assistant referees will be chosen for the tournament.

According to FIFA requirements, candidates like Trang and Trinh are expected to referee football matches at the highest level in their countries. FIFA also requires candidates to participate in the men's training program for referees and assistant referees so they could improve their skills under the instruction of elite experts in the region as well as the world. Throughout these courses, FIFA will assess, evaluate and select the best for World Cup.