SFF pays tribute to Sophus Larsen |07 June 2018

Born: November 2, 1940

Died: June 1, 2018

The Seychelles Football Federation is saddened to learn of the passing away of Sophus Larsen, one of the finest Seychellois referees of all time.

Larsen has refereed over 1,000 local and international football matches. He also refereed most notably, on February 2, 1979 at Stad Popiler, the Pele Cup final between Rangers and Rovers. Football great Pele from Brazil attended the match and Larsen along with Georges Bibi and Ferley Etienne were photographed alongside the maestro before the kick-off.

He was chosen also to referee at one of the Indian Ocean Island Games and took charge of the final won by hosts Mauritius.

Sophus Larsen set the benchmark for refereeing in Seychelles and he applied the same levels of integrity, commitment and sheer love of the game.

Very few people in football can match the contribution made by Sophus Larsen and fewer still have managed to do it while retaining the respect and admiration of absolutely everyone they have come into contact with, because he never stopped inspiring match officials.

We have lost a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed by everybody especially in football, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

In 2007, he was one of 50 individuals to receive certificates from the Seychelles Football Federation for helping in the promotion of Seychelles football in the space of 50 years – from 1957 to 2007.

This was during the first football gala nite held at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles (ICCS) and which coincided with the 50-year anniversary of Caf.

Sophus Larsen was laid to rest yesterday.

As a sign of respect, a minute silence will be observed before all matches this week.