Friday, September 3

Guatemala: Referee Batres Retires; Heredia Coach Out

Longtime FIFA referee Carlos Batres announced his retirement the day after officiating the SuperLiga championship match, his second, in Foxboro Wednesday evening. An international official since 1996, the 42-year-old Guatemalan refereed three matches at the recent World Cup in South Africa, including the Paraguay-Span quarterfinal match.

His career off the pitch began with immediacy with his appointment to the CONCACAF Referee Committee Confederation by CONCACAF President Jack Warner. Batres will remain in the post until the term of his predecessor, Carlos Ortiz, concludes. The position was vacant due to Ortiz’s death in January.

The two-time World Cup official (2002, 2010) also served in numerous other international tournaments, including the Gold Cup , CONCACAF Champions League/Cup, Pan American Games, Confederations Cup and the Olympics during his career.

His first career international match was October 27, 1996. It was a qualification match between Canada and Panama for the 1998 World Cup.

"He is definitely one of our most accomplished and decorated referees," CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said in a statement. "We look forward to him becoming integrally involved in our referee development programs."

A narrow 1-0 loss to league-leading Comunicaciones proved semi-costly for Heredia coach Juan Carlos Elijah, who was released from his contract by the club following a post-game meeting with the club management.

Currently sitting ninth with a 2-2-3 record in the league, the club has gone winless in their last three following a pair of home victories. The team has registered just two goals in the past three games, two matches of which were at home.

His departure was not unexpected, although the circumstances were different. Elijah had indicated several weeks ago that he was considering resigning from the club. The Argentine’s father was very ill and he was contemplating returning home, without a scheduled return, to be at his father’s side.

Replacing Elijah will be Chilean Sergio Pardo.

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