Tashun Simons has made history as the first Bermudian football referee certified to operate video assistant referee technology.

Simons completed the Concacaf VAR Programme in Miami from May 4 to 8, before he earned his first assignment as assistant VAR for the Central American Cup quarter-final clash between Honduran side Marathón and Alajuelense, of Costa Rica, on September 10.

“It feels good to get another accomplishment,” Simons told The Royal Gazette.

“In early May we went to Miami to do the theory part and practical. We went through the VAR protocols, the line of intervention and things like that.

“The second half of it was to do a live match, where I was an AVAR. Once you’re certified to be VAR, you can be AVAR as well.”

Simons is working to regain his place on the Fifa referees panel after losing his status in 2021. He became the first Bermudian in more than a decade to make world football’s governing body list when he was named in 2017.

“I’ll still be refereeing in Bermuda and hoping to get back on the Fifa list as a referee,” the 32-year-old said.

“It was supposed to be this year, but I got injured in May, so hopefully next year and if not then the year after so long as I don’t go past the age limit.”

Shannon Burgess, vice-chair of the BFA referees committee, told the association’s congress at Bermuda College last week that Concacaf had approved Simons to officiate as a video assistant referee.

“Just a week or so ago, we received confirmation that after recent training programmes, Tashun Simons is now eligible as a VAR official for Concacaf matches,” Burgess said.

“That’s another step in the right direction for chairman Crenstant Williams to get a team of referees.”

Meanwhile, Burgess told delegates at the congress that referees have been instructed to clamp down on foul language during domestic matches.

He stated that these steps are aimed at protecting young referees who have come forward to help ease the island’s officiating shortage.

“We have advised referees this season to take a very hard stance at profanity aimed at referees,” Burgess said.

“Profanity aimed at a referee is an immediate red card according to regulations. So I ask you to advise your technical staff to be prepared for that level of punishment this season, because we do have to change those behaviours.

“We absolutely need to protect these young referees at all costs. We had a 14-year-old officiate as an assistant referee in the FA Cup final last season, which is unprecedented.

“These guys are very keen and we really want your help to ensure that they are not discouraged.”

Clubs were also urged to manage their spectators, with unruly supporters liable to be removed from venues for offensive behaviour.

“We’re also asked you to make an effort to control your fans,” the BFA first vice-president said.

“The young referees were surprised to understand that a fan can be ejected from a stadium if the referee feels that an individual is abusive. So we need your help to control your fans with the three referees.”

Burgess also reported that the referees committee will be running a schools programme for three months.

“We have created a referee schools programme,” he added.

“That programme is running from September 9 to December 9. Saltus Grammar School has signed up for the referee school programme.

“In January, The Berkeley Institute and Warwick Academy will join that programme, so more positive signs in attracting some younger referees.

“President Mark Wade and I often, from many years back, have challenged Chairman Williams, giving him a goal of assembling a team of Fifa-listed referees.”