Three Australians of Greek heritage on the 2025 FIFA International Referee List

Football Australia has confirmed the appointment of 31 Australian match officials to the 2025 FIFA International Referee Lists. 

Among the list are three Australians of Greek heritage including Joanna Charaktis, George Lakrindis, and Andrew Meimarakis.

The 2025 list reflects the retirement of long-standing, internationally respected Match Officials and includes two additional Australian Match Officials compared to last year. The minimal changes from the 2024 list highlights a period of stability for Australian Match Officials while also demonstrating continued international growth.

Key Retirements: 

• Ryan Gallagher:

Ryan, a distinguished figure in Australian refereeing, is set to officiate his final match as a Football Australia Match Official on Saturday, 4 January 2025 in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men clash between Newcastle Jets FC and Sydney FC. 

Gallagher’s career highlights include serving as an A-League Men Assistant Referee from 2009 to 2025 and accumulating 201 matches. He is notably the fourth match official—whether as a referee, fourth official, or assistant referee—to reach 200 matches in the A-League Men competition. 

His accomplishments extend internationally, having been a FIFA Assistant Referee from 2016 to 2024 and an AFC Elite Assistant Referee from 2017 to 2024. Gallagher also served as Reserve Assistant Referee for the 2022 AFC Cup Final.

• Ryan Shepheard:

Australia’s most decorated Futsal Referee, has officially called time on his illustrious officiating career. His achievements include refereeing in three AFC Futsal Asian Cups (2010, 2022, 2024), where he served as an Assistant Referee in the 2010 Final and Referee in the 2022 Final. Shepheard also officiated the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2015, taking charge of the 3rd Place Play-Off as Second Referee. 

On the world stage, Shepheard represented Australia in two FIFA Futsal World Cups (2021, 2024), officiating a Quarter-Final and a Semi-Final both as an Assistant Referee in 2021 and as Referee in 2024. He made history as the first Australian futsal referee to officiate a Semi-Final at a FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Shepheard’s legacy also includes being the first Australian futsal referee to officiate a Final at an AFC Futsal Asian Cup and the third Australian to referee an AFC Futsal Asian Cup Final on the pitch.

New Appointees

Alongside these retirements, Football Australia announced the addition of new referees and assistant referees to the international list. This fresh talent promises to continue the legacy of excellence which has been long associated with Australian Match Officials.

Long-serving A-League Assistant Referee Arvin Shanmuganathan has been elevated to the FIFA International Referee list, alongside Dion Bradley, who has been confirmed as a FIFA Futsal Referee.

John Moss, Head of Referees at Football Australia, said: “The retirement of these outstanding match officials marks the end of a significant chapter in Australian football. Their dedication and professionalism have set a high standard and inspired a new generation of referees.”

“We are deeply grateful for their contribution to the game. Both have paved the way for Australian match officials on the field and we are looking forward to retaining their knowledge and experience as we shape a new generation of match officials,” Moss added.

“We are excited to introduce Arvin and Dion to the FIFA International Referee List who have both shown exceptional promise, and their new appointments signal Football Australia’s ongoing commitment to fostering talent and maintaining the high standards that Australian refereeing is known for.”

James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, added: “These officials have represented Australian football with distinction on the world stage. Their dedication has played a key role in elevating the global standing of Australian refereeing. As they move on to new opportunities, we extend our best wishes and look forward to supporting the next generation of referees who will carry on this proud tradition, including those stepping onto the international scene for the first time.”

Australian Match Officials on the FIFA List of International Match Officials 2025

* Denotes new in 2025