Despite the growth of Football in the country, LDF head referees receive only RD$4,900 per match, while assistants earn RD$3,800.
Raymundo Féliz stands out as the only football referee capable of making a living from his profession in the country.
Féliz, who officiates at the international level whenever required by FIFA, can earn up to $60,000 per year depending on his activities during those 12 months.
International referees are paid per event, potentially earning up to $550 in best cases and $200 in non-FIFA sanctioned matches.
“We always arrive two days before the event and leave a day after its conclusion. It’s a lucrative job as long as you have the approval of FIFA,” Féliz said at the Café Deportivo event organized by this newspaper .
However, not everyone is so lucky…
Football in the country has seen significant growth over the past decade. Since the creation of the Dominican Football League (LDF) in 2015, the nation has achieved unprecedented milestones, such as participation and goals in the Olympic Games, hosting the U-17 Women’s World Cup, and qualifying for the Gold Cup for the first time, among others.
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However, this development has not translated into better conditions for referees, whose salaries have remained unchanged since the league’s inception in 2014.
While players and teams are the main protagonists in football, the role of referees is essential for the smooth running of matches. After all, without them, matches cannot be played, whether the players are Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé.
As mentioned previously, LDF head referees only earn RD$4,900 per match, while assistants receive RD$3,800.
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Given that they can officiate a maximum of three matches per month, their monthly income does not exceed RD$14,700 and RD$11,400, respectively, very low figures considering the responsibility of their role.
“Salary is a fundamental aspect of any job. We really need a pay rise; it’s been 10 years since the league had a raise, and I believe the way forward is to sit down at the dialogue table with the federation,” expressed the referee.
In contrast, referees in international leagues receive considerably higher salaries, depending on the category and country. This highlights the disparity in economic conditions for those working in Dominican refereeing, even though referees like Féliz represented the country at the most notable event in football history: a World Cup, more precisely in Qatar in 2022.
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This question has been raised with various officials at different times, from the previous administration of the Dominican Football Federation to the current one.
The discontent has led to protests, including a peaceful demonstration by referees at a DFL game last season, demanding better salaries.
“It makes me sad to see that my colleagues cannot hope for better treatment. I always encourage my colleagues to see this work as a second option, because a family cannot live on RD$15,000,” assured Féliz .
To defend and regulate this situation, the international referee announced the formation of the Dominican Association of Football Referees (ADAF).
He added that the intention is that Fedofútbol and the clubs and associations involved “sail in the same direction.”
“It is beneficial for all of us to be united, because only then can we reach an agreement. Once this organization is established, we will sit down at the table of dialogue, and I believe that something positive will come from this,” explained Féliz.
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