Tasnim - Iranian international referee Alireza Faghani has been shortlisted for the annual Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai along with Italian Nicola Rizzoli and Japanese Yuicihi Nishimura.

Faghani was picked as the fourth official for the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup between Brazil and Croatia.

The Referee of the Year 2014 shortlist includes Nicola Rizzoli (Italy), Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands), Alireza Faghani (Iran), Yuicihi Nishimura (Japan), Janny Sikazwe (Zambia) and Bakary Papa Gassama (Gambia).

Completing the list are Abdelkader Zitouni, Norbert Hauata (both Tahiti), Wilmar Alexander Roldan (Colombia), Sandro Meira Ricci (Brazil), Roberto Garcia and Marco Antonio Rodriguez (both Mexico).

All the winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony attended by influential football figures such as Michel Platini and Fabio Capello at the culmination of the Globe Soccer Conference on December 29.