Kazakh football is facing a major refereeing dispute after a group of Premier League and First League clubs called for the resignation of KFF refereeing chief Nuno de Castro.
The collective appeal, dated May 12, was addressed to Kazakhstan Football Federation president Marat Omarov and focused on the quality and organisation of refereeing in the country’s professional leagues.
According to Kazakh media reports, the letter was signed by 15 clubs: Astana, Atyrau, Altai, Elimai, Zhetysu, Zhenis, Irtysh, Caspiy, Kaisar, Kyzylzhar, Ordabasy, Tobol, Ulytau, Turan and Taraz. Among Kazakhstan Premier League clubs, Kairat was the only club not listed among the signatories.
In the appeal, the clubs said De Castro’s appointment as head of the refereeing department had initially been seen as a step towards reform, transparency and higher standards. However, they argued that the situation had not improved and, in some areas, had deteriorated.
The clubs pointed to inconsistency in refereeing decisions, a lack of transparency, failure to properly address major mistakes and the absence of public assessment of referees’ performances. The letter also referred to a “systemic decline in trust” in the refereeing system.
Their demands included De Castro’s resignation, an independent assessment of the refereeing system, greater transparency in appointments and evaluations, an open mechanism for reviewing controversial incidents with public accountability, and regular dialogue between the federation and clubs.
Following the appeal, the KFF held an online meeting with representatives of professional clubs. The meeting was attended by acting general secretary Alexander Keplin, head of professional competitions Bakhytzhan Pazylkhaiyr, De Castro and representatives of the clubs that signed the letter.
According to the KFF, the clubs said during the meeting that they did not regard the letter as an ultimatum and were not presenting their demands in that way. The federation also stated that De Castro’s position is not under review.
The KFF reaffirmed its confidence in the current leadership of the refereeing department and said it would continue to support the ongoing refereeing reform.
Instead of making personnel changes, the federation proposed individual meetings between De Castro and clubs to review controversial incidents using the Hawk-Eye system. It also said regular video analysis of refereeing decisions, including mistakes, would continue, while working meetings between the federation and clubs would be resumed.
One of the most high-profile refereeing controversies of the early season came in the Kazakhstan Premier League match between Atyrau and Ordabasy in the fourth round. The game ended 1-1 and sparked debate over several decisions, including a late penalty.
De Castro heads the KFF department responsible for refereeing, inspection and VAR development. His appointment had previously been presented as part of a broader attempt to modernise refereeing and bring procedures closer to UEFA standards. That reform has now become one of the main points of tension between Kazakhstan’s clubs and the federation.
The dispute also comes as the KFF prepares for wider management changes. In late April, the federation’s executive committee approved Scott Munn as its new general secretary. The former Tottenham Hotspur and City Football Group executive is expected to take up the role in July 2026.
The current refereeing conflict has emerged before Munn officially starts work, but it adds to the list of issues awaiting the federation’s new management team.