Tony Evangelista

Tony Evangelista, born on October second, nineteen forty-five, in Sora, Italy, is a distinguished Canadian FIFA referee and a pivotal figure in the development of soccer in Canada. At the age of thirteen, he immigrated to Canada with his family, where he would later embark on a remarkable journey in the world of soccer.

Evangelista began his officiating career at the age of twenty-three and quickly established himself as one of Canada's premier referees. His notable achievements include being selected for the FIFA Panel of Referees during the nineteen eighty-four Olympic Games held in the United States, where he officiated the match between West Germany and Morocco and served as a linesman in one of the semi-finals.

Throughout his career, he officiated numerous significant matches, including the clash between Switzerland and Italy in nineteen eighty-four, the final of the inaugural FIFA Five a Side Indoor World Tournament in the Netherlands in nineteen eighty-nine, and the FIFA World Youth Championship in the USSR in nineteen eighty-five. Additionally, he oversaw the match between Italy and the Ivory Coast at the FIFA U-16 World Championship in Toronto.

After retiring from officiating, Evangelista took on the role of president of the Toronto Soccer Association, further contributing to the sport's growth in Canada. In recognition of his invaluable contributions, he was inducted as a Builder into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in two thousand three, a testament to his dedication and impact on the sport.