Former international referee Joseph Cassar Naudi passed away yesterday. He was 89.
Cassar Naudi will surely be remembered as one of the finest match officials this country has ever produced.
During his distinguished career, Cassar Naudi, who took up refereeing in 1945, was in charge of five FA Trophy finals between 1951 and 1973.
The Malta Football Association nominated Cassar Naudi to receive a FIFA badge in 1961 along with Arthur Lentini and Paul Bonett.
He was eventually awarded the FIFA badge in 1965 and his first international appointment was the European Cup match between Panathinaikos and Polonia Bytom, of Poland, which was played in Athens.
Cassar Naudi always had the game of football close to his heart. In 1955, he was appointed president of the Malta Football Referees Association, a position he held until 1974.
Former referee Tommy Restall, who officiated many games alongside Cassar Naudi, had words of praise for his former mentor.
“Joe Cassar Naudi was a great example to all referees,” Restall told Times of Malta .
“I was lucky to be one of the many referees who received guidance from Joe Cassar Naudi during my formation as match official.
“He was a real gentleman who was very passionate about the game of football. His greatest virtue as a referee was his quick decision-making in delicate moments of the match.
“He passed his knowledge to several upcoming referees and was seen by many as a role model. No doubt, Maltese football has lost one of its biggest contributors.”
After his retirement as referee, Cassar Naudi was responsible for issuing appointments to both referees and match inspectors.
In 1992, he was honoured by the country when he received the medal Għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika.
Until last season, Cassar Naudi served as deputy chairman of the Referees Committee.
His contribution to local football was also recognised by the Malta FA who gave Cassar Naudi the Outstanding Refereeing Services Award.
Cassar Naudi was also president of the Malta Youth Football League and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Football Association.
For many years, he sat on the MFA Executive Committee and also served as council member.
Away from the football scene, Cassar Naudi was also the founder president of the Malta Table Tennis Association and was a council member of the then Amateur Swimming Association.
His funeral is taking place tomorrow at the Msida Parish Church at 2.30pm.