WILTON SAMPAIO is a referee who has gone from the VAR booth to the green grass of the pitch for this World Cup
And the Brazilian is scheduled to be in charge of England’s mammoth World Cup quarter-final against France.
Four years ago in Russia he was one of the officials tasked with getting the, then new, technology running smoothly and making sound decisions.
The technology was hailed in Russia for being well run and now four years later the Brazilian has been given his whistle and book back.
Who is Wilton Sampaio?
Sampaio was born in 1981 in Teresina de Goias, Brazil.
The 36-year-old will be a video assistant referee at the World Cup this summer.
He was elected as one of the best referees in the 2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A champions.
Sampaio is known in Brazil for handing out yellow cards at every possible occasion.
After officiating three Copa Libertadores matches last season, the Brazilian produced 14 yellow cards and one red card.
And he handed out 12 yellow cards after two Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A matches.
Has he refereed at a World Cup competition?
The competition in Russia was the Brazilian’s first ever job at a World Cup.
He has refereed international matches at U17 and U15 level.
Video assistant referees are not used in the Brazilian leagues, but he was selected by Fifa after he excelled in the VAR seminars.
Speaking to Globo, he said: “The feeling is very joyful.
“It is a dream come true, to be able to work in a World Cup, my first in the professional category.
“I tried my best to prepare to be among the selected , in the theoretical and practical parts.
“The goal now is keep improving until the trip to Russia.”
