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Vergara home from World Cup with ref record
Assistant referee Hector Vergara of Canada, left, eyes the ball as Brazil's Ramires, center, is tackled by Portugal's Danny, right, during the World Cup group G soccer match between Portugal and Brazil at the stadium in Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 25, 2010. (JULIE JACOBSON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The World Cup may be over, but for now Hector Vergara’s tournament record stands.
The Winnipegger has spent the last month in South Africa as a FIFA assistant referee, his third World Cup. Vergara has officiated a total of 14 games as either a referee or assistant referee during the global tournaments, a record number.
Tuesday afternoon the 43-year-old arrived home to a small crowd of cheering friends and family. His were the only Canadian feet to touch World Cup soil in 2010, and as the executive director of the Manitoba Soccer Association he plans to keep the sport’s popularity on the way up in the province.
While Vergara says it was an honour to represent Manitoba in the World Cup, it will be his last. FIFA has an age restriction of 45 for referees.
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