Ethiopian Referee Bamlak Tessema Retires From Football Arbitration

Ethiopian Referee Bamlak Tessema Retires From Football Arbitration

Sampson Adedeji 

Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema has officially announced his retirement from football arbitration, bringing an illustrious career of more than a decade and a half at the highest level of African and global football to a close, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Tessema, who hails from Ethiopia, has been on the FIFA international referees list since 2009 and quickly rose to prominence as one of the most respected match officials on the continent. His career is marked by consistency, integrity, and composure in handling some of the most intense and high-stakes matches in African football.

Over the years, the 43-year-old officiated in several Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, including the 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 editions, where he earned praise for his firm but fair officiating. He was also trusted with major CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup fixtures, as well as decisive World Cup qualifiers.

Beyond Africa, Tessema represented Ethiopia with pride on the global stage. He officiated at FIFA youth tournaments and was also appointed as a video assistant referee (VAR) during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, becoming one of the pioneering African referees in that role.

Known for his calm demeanor and strong authority on the pitch, Tessema earned widespread respect from players, coaches, and fans alike. His retirement marks the end of an era for Ethiopian refereeing, as he remains one of the most accomplished referees to emerge from East Africa.

In his farewell remarks, Tessema expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), CAF, and FIFA for giving him the opportunity to serve the game at the highest level. He also thanked football lovers across the continent for their support throughout his journey.

While stepping away from active refereeing, reports suggest that Tessema is likely to remain involved in football through refereeing development and mentorship, passing on his wealth of knowledge and experience to the next generation of African referees.

With his retirement, African football bids goodbye to a trailblazer whose professionalism and excellence helped raise the profile of refereeing across the continent.