Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

World soccer governing body Fifa are luring former professional referee Carlos Henriques to head their development programme in South and East Africa.

Henriques, who is employed by the Safa as its referees' development officer, has been formally offered a job by Fifa.

This was confirmed by Ashford "Dumba" Mamelodi, Fifa's South and East regional development officer.

"It is true that Carlos has been offered a job to be Fifa's development officer for referees for South and East region.

"We are still talking to him, there will be a meeting in Gaborone (Botswana) this weekend where the issue of developing our referees will be discussed.

"It will be up to him to talk to Safa on the offer from Fifa. We really need somebody to help in the development of referees.

"We have made it clear to him that it's a full-time position, even if he would want to work from South Africa," said Mamelodi.

Approached for comment, Henriques said: "That's news to me, I don't know what you are talking about. Where did you get it from.

"I still work for Safa," said a clearly surprised Henriques from the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee offices in Nasrec.

Henriques joined Safa from its Johannesburg region six years ago, where he was in charge of their administration affairs.

Prior to that, Henriques - who is credited for helping to lay a solid foundation for Safa referees' section - was one of the assistant referees in the Premiership.