Serving my beloved soccer was a privilege in my life The legend of EPL's assistant manager retired...The 579th game is the last
Apr 10, 2025
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Veteran assistant referee Darren Can (56) will play his 579th and final EPL match through the 32nd round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2024-2025 season against Crystal Palace at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England on the 12th (Korea time).
Can has managed more than 1,000 games on national and international stages, including the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and Euro 2008. He is famous for his role in the 2010 European Champions League (UCL) final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich and the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.
In August 2011, Manchester United's 8–2 defeat of Arsenal at Old Trafford was the can. On that day, Park Ji-sung contributed to his historic victory by making his team's sixth goal in the second half.
In September last year, Tottenham captain Son Heung-min raised the assistant referee flag in numerous matches, including the Tottenham-Arnall match.
A former Norwich City and Crystal Palace youth, Can broke the record for most referees by playing in his 563rd EPL match in October last year, when he entered the referee's 33rd year at the age of 22.
"It's a memory that will forever be tickled by being the referee of the World Cup final, the Champions League final, but above all, I'm proud of the fact that I did my best 100% every game during my career as a referee," Can said in his retirement speech.
He said it was the privilege of my life to be able to serve the football I love.
Henry Winter, a British journalist for The Times, said, `Cann is a legend of the assistant refereeing world, a byword for consistent excellence, a role model for young referees.' `It is ironic that the assistant referee, who always makes offside decisions, will retire this weekend when semi-automatic offside technology is applied.' I hope that his ability and experience will not be lost in the soccer world, and that he will train young referees in the PGMOL."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
