Cayman’s Whitty tapped as match official for Concacaf Nations League Semifinal

One of Cayman’s match officials will be at the centre of the footballing universe tonight as Ben Whitty has been appointed to serve as assistant virtual assistant referee (AVAR) for the Concacaf Nations League Semifinal between the United States and Panama.

“It’s something I’ve been working towards for the last five years,” Whitty said. “I was actually AVAR for the semifinal last year. I was hoping to go a little bit one-better this year but nonetheless I’m still part of the team. It’s just a case of keep doing what I’m doing and moving forward and hopefully I’ll get selected for a major tournament, which is what I obviously hope to achieve in the very near future.”

Whitty, who served as AVAR during last season’s CNL Semifinal between the U.S. and Jamaica, is one of seven Cayman-based officials on FIFA’s International List of Match Officials.

“This appointment for Ben Whitty is indeed phenomenal, as such an appointment certainly boosts his profile as a VAR official in Concacaf top tier competitions,” Cayman Islands Football Association Director of Refereeing Livingston Bailey said. “The more his VAR profile is elevated, the more opportunities he has to be appointed to world class competitions.”

The Concacaf Semifinal between the U.S. and Panama begins at 7 p.m and will be livestreamed on Paramount+.