CBF introduces professional refereeing in the Brasileirão, see the details | OneFootball

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has taken a significant step in valuing the category by initiating the formalization of the Professional Refereeing Program (PRO) for the 2026 season. Last Friday (6), contracts were sent to 72 professionals, including referees, assistants, and video referees.

With the signing, referees will begin to receive the full fixed salary paid by the CBF starting in March. From the sixth round of the national championship, variable remuneration will be implemented, linked to the number of matches officiated.

Structural and Financial Advancement in Refereeing

The sending of the contracts represents a structural advancement in the financial management of Brazilian refereeing and fulfills the commitment made by the Refereeing Working Group (GT).

The new hiring model also stipulates that the payment of refereeing fees will be made entirely by the CBF, through the Annual Refereeing Development Fund. This fund will be composed of amounts collected from clubs, referring to the variable fees of each referee, ensuring greater predictability and stability.

First Technical Seminar at Granja Comary

Along with the contracts, the CBF released the schedule for the 1st Technical Seminar of the season, which will take place at Granja Comary between March 31 and April 3. The event will feature physical and technical training, evaluations, alignment of refereeing criteria, and training in new technological and methodological tools.

The objective is to integrate and standardize the procedures of professional refereeing, focusing on continuous improvement and the alignment of criteria.

New Tools and Focused Training

According to Netto Góes, president of the Refereeing GT, the seminar will address the use of new technologies, such as performance analysis and monitoring software.

“Our professionalization model considers not only remuneration, but focuses directly on the training of refereeing,” Góes emphasized, highlighting the educational aspect for play analysis and the alignment of criteria.

Fulfilling a Dream for the Category

Rodrigo Cintra, president of the CBF Refereeing Commission, described the moment as historic and long-awaited.

“Professionalization is something that all generations of football referees have wished for and dreamed of,” said Cintra. He highlighted the importance of providing referees with the opportunity to become professionals, to make a living from refereeing as their main source of income, with predictability of payments, stability, and better conditions for improvement.

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.