Armando Archundia, former international referee and key figure in the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in Mexico, has left his position in the Referees Commission of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). His resignation comes after months of internal disagreements that resulted in his reassignment to a lower-ranking position within the federative structure.
According to close sources, Archundia submitted his resignation in early 2025, which was initially rejected by the FMF. However, shortly thereafter, he was assigned a new role focused on scouting and training new referees, which led to his final decision to resign.
The discrepancies that led to Archundia's resignation centered on his disagreement with decisions and internal management of the Federation, particularly regarding the arrival of Juan Manuel Herrero as general director of the Referees Commission, a change that Archundia considered a direct interference in his authority within the structure.
Archundia's departure comes at a time of transformations in the FMF and marks the end of an era for Mexican refereeing. His role in the introduction of VAR in the country's football allowed him to be a relevant player in the modernization of refereeing, but also exposed him to internal tensions that culminated in his exit.
On the other hand, Archundia's resignation raises questions about the future of the training and evaluation system for referees in Mexico, leaving a void that will need to be filled by the relevant authorities to maintain and improve refereeing standards in the country.
