Referee boss David Elleray resigns and moves to South Africa: “Can’t travel to Belgium often enough” | Belgian Football

“The KBVB regrets to announce that David Elleray has decided to resign as chairman of the Professional Refereeing Board. Due to his move to South Africa, he can no longer commit to travel to Belgium regularly enough to properly perform his function.

“I spent much of the pandemic in South Africa, a country with which I have a long and close relationship,” Elleray said of his decision to leave the KBVB. “Then I decided to move forward with my plans to make South Africa my home base and started building a new house, which is now almost finished. ​Since I now reside in South Africa more than the UK and require physical presence at work again, I have reconsidered my international commitments, especially those that required me to attend regular meetings, refereeing courses and matches, and have come to I came to the conclusion that I would not be able to travel to Belgium often enough to perform my job in a professional manner. It is therefore with great sadness that I have decided to resign from my position.”

“I was honored to initiate the restructuring and growth of Belgian arbitration and also to contribute to the establishment of a well-functioning and highly active Professional Refereeing Department (PRD). The significant progress in performance on and off the field is the result of the dedication of many people; this progression is very hopeful for the future, as is the growing international reputation of the Belgian referees. ​I congratulate all match officials and all people who guide and work with them and thank them for their professional attitude and friendship. I will continue to follow the Belgian arbitration closely and wish all employees of the KBVB all the best for the future.”

Elleray has been active as an advisor at the KBVB since December 2018 to raise the level of Belgian arbitration. The football association is now starting the process to find a successor.