This is a first for the Silverfox Hustle Podcast. Muhd Taqi Aljaafari , arguably the best football referee in Singapore, takes the Silverfox Hustle hotseat in Episode 27. It was a pleasure speaking to a current FIFA Match official and Taqi was really candid in our conversation.
Taqi shares how he stumbled into refereeing and how he rose up the ranks to become a FIFA referee after the initial uncertainty. He reveals his mentors and also people who have influenced him in his journey so far. I always wondered how it is like to officiate a match with the top stars on the pitch doing amazing stuff - Taqi answers these questions and more.
Taqi also relates his experience officiating in big matches in the AFC Cup, the Asian Champions League and also the FIFA Age Group World Cup tournaments. And yes, we did have a discussion on the controversial VAR and its merits!
Football match officials have always been an enigma. I always say this - “Who wants to be a referee?!” Coz I don’t. And of coz I had run ins with them in the past! It is a thankless job but it is a job that needs to be done. This episode sheds a little light on the job and Taqi in particular. The Silverfox Hustle Podcast wishes him all the best!
