Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Photograph shows Charles Barrett (lefdt) doing referee duties alongside Richard Nathan in a local game several years ago. - FILE
JAMAICA'S CHARLES Barrett has been selected as a member of the Caribbean Football Union's (CFU) five-man Referee's Committee for the next two years.
Barrett confirmed to The Gleaner that he received a letter stating his elevation to the committee to be chaired by Lisle Austin of Barbados.
"I got a letter from CFU appointing me as a member of the Referee's Committee for the next two years," Barrett said.
The former FIFA referee, who is the chairman of the Jamaica's Referees Commission says he appreciates the "recognition for the years of service. It's nice for them to remember my name."
RESPONSIBILITIES
The committee will be responsible for submitting to the executive committee:
A list of referee instructors and lecturers capable of conducting courses for referees;
Appointing the referees for matches in competitions organised by CONCACAF or any other matches or tournaments, he never requested to do so;
Establishing uniformity in methods of refereeing and implementation of the Laws of CONCACAF;
Drawing up inspection standards for referees to be used equally by every confederation member and overseeing the
organisation of the courses for international referees and referee instructors;
Ensuring that each national association has a properly constituted referees' committee and ascertain that these committees function satisfactorily.
The committee shall be responsible for the production and publication of an official report on its activities and courses it organises.
RECOGNISED REFEREE
Barrett, one of Jamaica's most recognised referees, has been in the business for 30 years.
He started refereeing in 1975 while having stints as coach of Allman Town Primary, Kingston Senior School (now Kingston High), Queen's Preparatory and athletic coaching at Dunoon Technical.
But coaching wasn't to be his forte. He gave up coaching in 1986 and became a full-time football referee and, by 1989, he was elevated to FIFA status.
In 1997, Barrett's life took a wicked turn and Jamaica lost one of its top referees in the field.
He was shot by gunmen while in the company of politician Clinton 'Jingles' Davy on Washington Boulevard. He immediately withdrew his services from active refereeing and went into the administration aspect of it, and, in 2004, he became chairman of the Jamaica's Referees Commission.
