Bengal-based assistant referee inducted for Messi match

Bengal-based FIFA assistant referee Biplab Poddar has been inducted into the list of match officials for the high-profile international friendly between Argentina and Venezuela here on September 2.

The local referee's name became an automatic choice after Services' referee A Arjunan pulled out because of an injury, AIFF secretary Kushal Das said.

"Poddar will be the assistant referee along with Dinesh Nair (Gujarat)," Das said.

Earlier it was announced that Services referee A Rowan will supervise the star-studded international friendly involving Lionel Messi while Goutam Kar was appointed match commissioner.

Franky Fernandes (Goa) is the fourth referee.

Meanwhile, FIFA technical director John Michell Benezet and development director Theory Regengase will arrive in the city on August 30 to see the site of the proposed National Football Academy in Pailan in the southern outskirts.

The duo will also watch the match along with AIFF executive members.