Ma Ning, Zhou Fei, Fu Ming Officiate Together: Historic Moment for Chinese Football at World Cup
Jun 20, 04:21 PM
On June 21, in the World Cup Group E match between Ecuador and Curaçao, Chinese referees Ma Ning, Zhou Fei, and Fu Ming made history: three Chinese officials worked the same World Cup match, with Ma Ning as head referee, Zhou Fei as the first Chinese assistant referee in a World Cup, and Fu Ming as the first Chinese VA
On June 21, Beijing time, the World Cup Group E match between Ecuador and Curaçao became a historic milestone for Chinese football. For the first time, three Chinese referees—Ma Ning, Zhou Fei, and Fu Ming—officiated together in a World Cup match, setting multiple records.
Ma Ning, the head referee, has extensive experience in international tournaments such as the Asian Cup and AFC Champions League. He demonstrated decisive and accurate officiating throughout the match. Zhou Fei, as an assistant referee, made precise offside and foul calls on the sideline, becoming the first Chinese assistant referee to officiate in a World Cup. Fu Ming served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the first Chinese to fulfill this role in a World Cup, assisting the head referee with key decisions via video review.
The match itself was competitive. Ecuador secured a 2-1 victory over Curaçao, earning crucial points in Group E. Curaçao showed resilience and tactical discipline despite the loss.
The Chinese refereeing team's performance earned praise from FIFA and fans worldwide. Chinese supporters celebrated on social media, calling it a proud moment for Chinese football and a significant step for Chinese referees on the global stage.
This achievement reflects the improved standards of Chinese refereeing. In recent years, the Chinese Football Association has invested in referee training and international exchanges, yielding positive results. The success of Ma Ning, Zhou Fei, and Fu Ming will inspire more Chinese referees to strive for excellence.
Looking ahead, Chinese referees are expected to appear in more major international competitions, showcasing the progress of Chinese football. This historic moment also boosts confidence and momentum for the overall development of Chinese football, both in competitive performance and global influence.
