Ben Abraham (referee)

Ben Abraham
Born New South Wales, Australia
Domestic
Years League Role
2017– A-League Men Fourth official
2017– Australia Cup Referee
2019– A-League Men Referee
2020– NPL NSW Referee

Ben Abraham is an Australian soccer referee. He was the referee for the 2023 Australia Cup final and has been officiating in the A-League Men since 2019.

Career

Hailing from New South Wales, Abraham initially served as a fourth official in A-League Men and as a referee for FFA Cup matches in 2017.[1][2] He joined the A-League referees panel in August 2019 for the first time,[3] and refereed his first professional match between Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix on 3 November 2019.[4] Abraham was openly criticised by Louis Fenton and Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay for a controversial penalty call that gave City a 3–1 lead. The match ended in a 3–2 victory for Melbourne City.[5][6]

Abraham was appointed referee for the 2023 Australia Cup final between Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar. It would be his first and final time officiating an Australia Cup final.[7]

Major matches refereed

Date Match Tournament Venue Ref
7 October 2023 Sydney FC vs Brisbane Roar (3–1) 2023 Australia Cup final Sydney Football Stadium [8]

References

  1. ^ "NSW officials well represented at National level". Football NSW. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  2. ^ "B. Abraham: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Kate Jacewicz and Ben Abraham appointed to Hyundai A-League Referee Panel for first time". keepup.com. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Ben Abraham (Referee) – Matches Refereed". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  5. ^ Rayson, Zac (3 November 2019). "'It's f***ed': Player's all-time reaction to huge VAR controversy". Fox Sports. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  6. ^ Jackson, Ed (7 November 2019). "VAR referee to miss A-League weekend". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Ben Abraham to referee Australia Cup Final 2023". Football Australia. 5 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Sydney wins Australia Cup, lack of VAR irks Roar". ESPN. Australian Associated Press. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.