Dutch Referee Sander de Brito Roque Announces Retirement

Sander de Brito Roque, a prominent figure in Dutch amateur football officiating, has announced his retirement as a referee after a 20-year career. The 36-year-old, hailing from Capelle aan den IJssel, has officiated matches for the KNVB for two decades, with 14 years at the highest amateur level.

A Career Spanning Multiple Divisions

De Brito Roque primarily officiated matches in the Tweede Divisie (Second Division) and Derde Divisie (Third Division) of the Dutch amateur football system. He began his career at the highest amateur level on September 8, 2013, presiding over a match between Leonidas and EVV in the Topklasse (then the highest amateur league).

Notable Matches and Achievements

Known as one of the most experienced and respected referees in amateur football, De Brito Roque has overseen numerous significant matches, including several high-profile derbies. He officiated four iterations of the derby between IJsselmeervogels and Spakenburg and four between Katwijk and Quick Boys. Other derbies under his charge included GVVV-DOVO, NSC Nijkerk-Sparta Nijkerk, HBS-Quick, Kloetinge-Goes, and Eemdijk-IJsselmeervogels.

Since the introduction of the Tweede Divisie in 2016, De Brito Roque has officiated five Playoff finals for promotion to the Tweede Divisie. These included:

• 2017: Rijnsburgse Boys-Spakenburg (2-1)
• 2019: VVSB-Quick Boys (1-1)
• 2022: GVVV-Kozakken Boys (1-4)
• 2024: SC Genemuiden-Excelsior Maassluis (0-3)
• 2025: Noordwijk-Kozakken Boys (1-0)

The 2024 final, between SC Genemuiden and Excelsior Maassluis, was documented by an ESPN camera crew for the documentary series “Achter het Fluitsignaal” (Behind the Whistle).

Early Career and Recognition

Born on October 12, 1989, De Brito Roque previously participated in the Talent Development program for referees in professional football.

Final Match and Reflection

De Brito Roque’s final match will be between Rijnsburgse Boys and RKAV Volendam on the last day of the season. Reflecting on his career, he stated on Instagram, “Twenty years that have given me a lot, but also twenty years in which I have set a lot aside for refereeing. It was all worth it. Many beautiful matches, many nice people met and especially memories made for life.”