South African retired referee Victor Gomes has revealed the lowest point of his football refereeing career.
Gomes recently hung up his whistle after a 15-year career at a professional level. His abrupt retirement came after he took part in the recent past FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
He’s well-known for being strict and taking no-nonsense. At some point in his career, he was thrust into the limelight for his questionable decisions.
Many coaches used to lambast him for handling the game the way he did. However, the 40-year-old later earned respect in football circles for officiating without fear or favour.
Gomes has recalled the time when he couldn’t deal with criticism from football enthusiasts.
GOMES RECALLS LOWEST POINT OF HIS CAREER
“I would say maybe those three weeks where someone was giving penalties and earned the name of Penaldinho,” he said during the interview with Marawa Sports Worldwide.
“But having looked at them and being told by the review committee that you gave eleven and one doubtful.
“And then you start seeing people after giving three, four, five, you say but we’ve got someone in South Africa who’s been doing that already.
“So, it was a bit of a low for me where I needed to keep my psychology and say ‘no, we cannot allow people to affect us and we need to do a job’.
“Because that is what is within the laws of the game.
“I guess the thick-skinned part, I think that was the toughest part to say I know what I’m doing, I believe in myself, I know what I’m doing is correct, and let me continue.”
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