OFC: Fiji referee, Leone Rakaroi, has been called in to replace Tahiti’s Charles Ariiotima, who is unavailable to officiate at the FIFA U-17 World Championships in Finland. It will be the first FIFA appointment for Rakaroi, who was last active at the South Pacific Games in Fiji last month.

The 38-year old Rakaroi has been on the FIFA referees list since 2002. Since making the FIFA list, he has also officiated at the 2002 OFC U-16 Tournament in Sydney, 2002 OFC U-19 Women’s Qualifiers in Tonga and the 2002 OFC Nations Cup in Auckland.

Accompanying Rakaroi in the official OFC Match Official delegation to Finland are assistant referees, Gray Vuke, of Vanuatu, and Daniel Tauaroa of Tahiti.

The FIFA U-17 World Championship kicks off on Wednesday, 13 August 2003. OFC is represented by Australia in this tournament.