Jair Marrufo
Encyclopedia
Jair Marrufo is an American
soccer (football) referee. He has been a referee in Major League Soccer
since 2002 and a FIFA
referee since 2007. His father, Antonio Marrufo, was a FIFA referee from Mexico
and served on the Mexican Referee Commission. Jair Marrufo speaks fluent English and Spanish.
Marrufo was 2008 MLS Referee of the Year.
He was on the list of 38 referees to potentially referee the 2010 FIFA World Cup
.
Controversy resulted after the 2-2 tie between the Columbus Crew
and Chicago Fire
on 25 April 2009. Witnesses reported seeing Fire player and Mexican star Cuauhtémoc Blanco
giving his jersey to the referees after the game.
Marrufo was suspended by MLS for the remainder of the 2009 MLS season as of September 1, 2009, for poor performances over the course of the season, and subsequently on February 5, 2010, Marrufo was removed from the 2010 World Cup referee list.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer (football) referee. He has been a referee in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
since 2002 and a FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
referee since 2007. His father, Antonio Marrufo, was a FIFA referee from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and served on the Mexican Referee Commission. Jair Marrufo speaks fluent English and Spanish.
Marrufo was 2008 MLS Referee of the Year.
He was on the list of 38 referees to potentially referee the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
.
Controversy resulted after the 2-2 tie between the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
and Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire (soccer)
Chicago Fire Soccer Club is an American professional soccer club based in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview, Illinois. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top soccer league in the United States and Canada...
on 25 April 2009. Witnesses reported seeing Fire player and Mexican star Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Cuauhtémoc Blanco Bravo is a Mexican professional footballer currently signed for Irapuato in the Mexican Liga de Ascenso.Known for his aggressive yet charismatic personality on the field, playing most of his career as a deep-lying forward and his last years as an attacking midfielder...
giving his jersey to the referees after the game.
Marrufo was suspended by MLS for the remainder of the 2009 MLS season as of September 1, 2009, for poor performances over the course of the season, and subsequently on February 5, 2010, Marrufo was removed from the 2010 World Cup referee list.