Former referee, MFA Executive Committee and Council member Joseph M. Cassar Naudi, M.Q.R. passed away at the age of 89.

Cassar Naudi was appointed an MFA referee in 1945 and in 1961 was one of the first three Maltese referees to be awarded the FIFA Badge and the first referee to control a UEFA match in Panathinaikos.

He controlled five FA Trophy finals between 1951 and 1973. In 1955 was elected president of the Malta Football Referees Association. He served in this post until 1974. He was in charge of referees’ appointments for several years and also for match inspectors/referee observers. Until 2013/14, he served as Deputy Chairman in the MFA Referees’ Committee.

Last year, the Malta Football Association presented Joe Cassar Naudi with The Outstanding Refereeing Services Award for the services rendered to the refereeing sector between 1945 ad 2014.

His funeral will be held on Thursday 19th February at the Msida Parish Church at 14:30.