Local Arvin Shanmuganathan has been promoted to FIFA list of match officials for 2025. The likeable 31-year old, a two-time Assistant Referee of the Year, becomes just the ninth West Australian to achieve his FIFA badge since the late Ted Bude (aka Budziszewski) first gained the honour in the late 1960’s.

Arvin, who began officiating in 2008, has been an assistant for more than 60 A-League games since being appointed to the national league panel in 2017. His appearances include the 2024 Australia Cup Final between Macarthur United and Melbourne Victory and the Crystal Palace-Leeds United and AC Milan-AS Roma friendlies of 2022 and 2024 respectively.

“This is an outstanding achievement by Arvin following years of dedication to refereeing at both a state and national level,” said David Lewis, Football West General Manager. “We are thrilled he is now in the running to be appointed to games at the highest level of our sport and look forward to seeing him flourish among the best match officials in the world.”

Arvin joins Ted Bude (1968-1970), Roy Stedman (1970-1972), Barry Harwood (1972-1991), Eddie Lennie (1996–2004), Patrick McCaffrey (1999–2003), Angelo Nardi (2006–2007), Michael Nugus (2007–2010) and Mathew Cheeseman (2013–2016) as Western Australia’s FIFA listed matched officials.