Former Celta and Russia international Alexander Mostovoy on Mazhic’s move and refereeing reforms
Alexander Mostovoy, the former footballer who played for Celta and the Russian national team, weighs in on the appointment of Milorad Mazhic as head of the RFU refereeing office. He argues that Mazhic’s arrival will not automatically transform how referees operate in the national championship, and he speaks with the clarity of a man who has spent years on the field. According to Mostovoy, structural changes in terms do not inherently shift the outcome; the balance of power and decision making remains largely the same, regardless of who wears the whistle. He notes that while video assistance can be a lifeline, it does not guarantee flawless calls every time, and refereeing errors persist even with modern technology. The sense is practical: improvements require more than new leadership; they require a deeper integration of real game experience into the officiating process.
To reduce mistakes, he contends, the decisive factor is proximity to the game itself. The presence of referees who have spent their careers playing football could help bridge the gap between players and officials, leading to fewer misjudgments and more informed decisions on the field. While this will not eradicate all issues, it has the potential to significantly lower the margin of error. In Mostovoy’s view, Mazhic’s arrival alone will not reset the dynamics of Russian refereeing; the change must come from a practical, on-pitch perspective that players understand and trust. He emphasizes that practical experience matters, and the path to better officiating runs through collaboration between referees and those who understand the rhythm of a match from inside the game.
Mazhíc is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on June 29 and will begin his duties at the Russian Premier League referees’ meeting. His two-year contract with the RFU includes the possibility of an extension for a further season, signaling a plan that could extend beyond the current cycle if the outcomes meet expectations. This appointment is part of a broader effort to modernize the officiating framework at the top level of Russian football, aligning leadership with ongoing discussions about the role of technology and on-pitch expertise in decision making.
As part of the leadership team, Mazhíc will be supported by a deputy who brings complementary experience from his previous role. Dalibor Dzhurdzhevich, previously Mazhíc’s trusted deputy, will oversee a range of initiatives, including the enhancement of the VAR system’s reliability and the overall quality of officiating. The collaboration between Mazhíc and his deputy is framed as a practical program aimed at steady, incremental improvement rather than dramatic, overnight change.
Mazhíc has a distinguished resume, having officiated matches at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, the 2017 Confederations Cup, the 2018 Champions League final, and numerous other international fixtures. After hanging up his whistle, he took on roles within the judiciary in Cyprus and shared his expertise by teaching at FIFA, contributing to the global exchange of refereeing knowledge. His career path reflects a blend of top-level competition experience and a commitment to education and governance within football officiating.
Formerly described as a knowledgeable figure by Championship.com, he represents a continued thread of international refereeing excellence connected to the RFU’s current direction. It is important to note that a former FIFA and UEFA referee from Turkey was among the expectations for RFU involvement, highlighting the international scope of the reforms under discussion and the broader network of expertise being considered to support refereeing in Russia. (Cited: Championship.com)