Orel Grinfeld Promoted to UEFA Elite Referee List

History in the making: for the first time, Israel will have a representative in the UEFA Elite Referee List that includes Europe’s 25 leading referees

With accordance to UEFA’s decision, International Referee Orel Grinfled was promoted from Level 1 to the Elite Tier of UEFA referees that includes Europe’s top 25 referees.

This is an unprecedented achievement for the Israeli Referee Association. UEFA’s Elite Tier referees oversee is the Champions’ League and other leading tournaments such as the UEFA European Championships and the World Cup (the European referees for the tournament are selected from the Elite Tier).

Grinfeld: “This is exciting piece of news that brings along with it huge responsibility. I represent an entire association, a country, and the progress throughout the years is fruit of hard labour and support I received. The burden of proof, as always, lies on me.

CEO of Israeli Referee Association, Yariv Teper: “Immense excitement and pride, this is an unprecedented achievement, an outcome of hard work, determination and vision. I am glad that I had the privilege to lead a professional process that resulted in placing an Israeli referee in the highest level of refereeing in Europe. Whishing Orel the best of luck and hoping that his success will open the door for more Israeli referees in the Elite Tier.”

Chairman of Israeli Referee Association, Ronit Tirosh: “Orel is an example and role model for every referee that is making his/her first steps. The investment, effort, talent and skill are the formula for success. This is a day of great joy for our football, the Referee Association, and above all for Orel.