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Colombian referee Oscar Julian Ruiz is the third-best referee of the decade according to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).
The federation chose the best referees of the century’s opening decade, and released the list on Thursday.
Ruiz shares the third spot with Italian referee Pierluigi Collina, and has only German Markus Merk and Slovakia Lubos Michel ahead. As such, the Colombian is also the best LatinAmerican referee ahead of Uruguayan Jorge Larriondo.
Ruiz, 40, made his debut in 1992 and went on to officiate at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups. At the most recent edition, the Villavicencio-born referee led the group games of South Africa versus France and Greece versus Nigeria.
