Italian To Referee Ukraine Vs Nigeria Friendly & Why It's Good News For Troost-Ekong

Published: September 06, 2019

According to the official website of the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), Italian official Paolo Valeri has been appointed as referee for the international friendly between Ukraine and Nigeria at the Dnipro Arena on September 10.

Alessandro Costanzo and Stefano Alassio will join Valeri as the linesmen while the duties of the fourth official will be performed by Ukrainian Vitaliy Romanov.

Born in Rome 41 years ago, Valeri has been an international referee since 2011 and has taken charge of UEFA Champions League qualifiers, Europa League, Serie A, Saudi Professional League, U19 EURO and international friendlies.

Last season, he officiated two games involving Udinese in which Super Eagles star William Troost-Ekong featured and the good news is that the Nigerian did not receive a booking in both matches.

The last time Valeri refereed a game involving an African country was in 2016 when Congo DR were held to a 1-1 draw by Romania in a friendly.

Twenty five Ukrainian players are preparing for the European Championship qualifier against Lithuania on September 7 and three days later they face Nigeria.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : cafonline.com