Uzbekistan, Tashkent, July 20 /Trend, D.Azizov /
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree on Tuesday to award soccer referee Ravshan Irmatov with honorary title of "Uzbekistan iftihori" (Pride of Uzbekistan).
Irmatov was awarded for his "contribution to the glorification of the national soccer in the world, an outstanding personal contribution to the enhancement of its prestige in the international arena and developing the refereeing in the country," says the decree, published in the Uzbek electronic media on Tuesday night.
32-year-old Irmatov, an international referee of Uzbekistan Football Federation, FIFA referee, began his career in 2003, served three World Cups among players under 17 years, one World Cup for players under 20 years and, in 2008, FIFA Club World Cup Final.
Irmatov became the best referee of Asia in 2008 and 2009.
He was the only referee from the CIS and Baltic states at World Cup in South Africa. Irmatov and his team - linesmen Rafael Ilyasov of Uzbekistan and Bakhodyr Kuchkarov of Kyrgyzstan served five matches, including starting match between the teams of South Africa and Mexico, as well as the first semifinal match between the teams of the Netherlands and Uruguay.
Upon another decree of the President, international referee of the Uzbekistan Football Federation, FIFA referee Rafael Ilyasov awarded with the "Dustlik" (Friendship) order.
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