Thank you, Frank De Bleeckere!

Appointed as Chairman of the AFFA Referees Committee in July 2024, Frank De Bleeckere has served as the Advisor to the AFFA General Secretary on International Refereeing and Referee Education since November 2025. During his time at AFFA, he made a significant contribution to the development of refereeing in Azerbaijan by strengthening international cooperation and enhancing the education and preparation of referees. In particular, his strong emphasis on the development of young referees quickly produced tangible results. As of 2026, Azerbaijan has, for the first time in its history, four FIFA-listed referees. This milestone reflects the growing international standing of Azerbaijani refereeing and stands as a testament to the successful work carried out under Frank De Bleeckere's guidance. Frank De Bleeckere will continue his career in Serbia, where he has been appointed Chairman of the Referees Commission of the Football Association of Serbia. AFFA expresses its sincere gratitude to Frank De Bleeckere for his valuable contribution to Azerbaijani football and wishes him every success in his future endeavors.