By Oni Ladonette Ondesa
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Austrian Football Federation recognises trailblazing official’s ten-year contribution to the game
Alfred Tarh Vorderwinkler has received a silver honour from the Austrian Football Federation, marking a decade of distinguished service as a match official in the country.
The Cameroon-born referee was presented with the award by the federation’s president in recognition of his consistency and commitment since joining the Austrian refereeing ranks in 2015.
Vorderwinkler, who has officiated over 600 matches across various levels of Austrian football, has become a prominent figure in the country’s football landscape. His journey has seen him break barriers as one of the few Black referees operating in Austrian football.
The 34-year-old’s profile has extended beyond the pitch, with his image featured in federation promotional materials highlighting football’s inclusive values and FIFA’s anti-racism initiatives.
“What people consider impossible can be achieved if you believe in yourself,” Vorderwinkler said following the ceremony.
His influence continues to grow within Austrian football administration. In 2024, he was appointed to recruit and train emerging referees at the Sport Expo in Ried, a role that followed his work as a football analyst during the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Beyond his Austrian commitments, Vorderwinkler maintains strong ties to Cameroon’s football scene, regularly contributing analysis on domestic football and continental competitions.
He has also invested personally in developing officiating standards in his native South West region, providing refereeing equipment to the local federation.
The honour marks another milestone in Vorderwinkler’s progression through Austrian football’s refereeing structure, where he has built a reputation for reliable match management across domestic competitions.
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