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| Wilmar Roldán | |
|---|---|
| Name | Wilmar Roldán |
| Birth date | 25 October 1980 |
| Birth place | Neiva, Huila, Colombia |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Occupation | Football referee |
| Years active | 2000s–present |
Wilmar Roldán is a Colombian football referee known for officiating in Categoría Primera A, Copa Libertadores, and international competitions under FIFA and CONMEBOL. He has served as a FIFA-listed official, appearing at FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Copa América, and the FIFA Club World Cup, and has been involved in high-profile matches featuring clubs and national teams across South America, Europe, and North America. Roldán's career has drawn attention from sports media, football players, and football managers for decisive match control and occasional contentious decisions.
Roldán was born in the city of Neiva, in the department of Huila Department, Colombia, and grew up during a period when Colombian football clubs like Atlético Nacional, América de Cali, and Millonarios F.C. were prominent in continental competitions such as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. He trained in local refereeing programs affiliated with the Dimayor and progressed through youth and amateur leagues, gaining experience in regional tournaments overseen by the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol. Roldán's early mentors included national referees who had officiated in World Cup qualifiers and Copa América editions, and he studied regulations published by FIFA and interpreted through CONMEBOL guidance.
Roldán began officiating at professional level in the Colombian top flight, Categoría Primera A, where he handled matches featuring clubs such as Independiente Medellín, Deportes Tolima, and Deportivo Cali. He advanced to continental club competitions, taking charge of fixtures in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana involving teams like Boca Juniors, River Plate, Flamengo, and Palmeiras. As a FIFA-listed referee, he oversaw international friendlies and FIFA World Cup qualification matches between national teams including Brazil national football team, Argentina national football team, Colombia national football team, and Uruguay national football team. Domestically, Roldán has been appointed for finals, semifinals, and decisive league encounters administered by Dimayor and has collaborated with assistant referees and the VAR system during later stages of his career.
Roldán was selected by CONMEBOL and FIFA for multiple tournaments, including assignments at Copa América Centenario, editions of the Copa América, and youth tournaments organized by CONMEBOL and FIFA, where he officiated matches involving national teams from CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. He was appointed to referee in FIFA World Cup qualification stages across South America and took part in the FIFA Club World Cup, overseeing clashes between continental champions such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Santos FC in various years. Tournament organizers like UEFA and CONMEBOL have often consulted FIFA's match official panels when selecting referees, and Roldán's inclusion reflected assessments by panels that have previously appointed referees to events like the UEFA Champions League and Olympic Games football tournament.
Roldán has been the center of public scrutiny following contentious decisions in matches with significant consequences, including controversial penalty awards, red card dismissals, and VAR-related rulings in fixtures featuring clubs like River Plate and national teams engaged in World Cup qualification encounters. High-profile controversial moments attracted commentary from managers such as José Pékerman, Marcelo Gallardo, and pundits from outlets covering El País (Uruguay), AS (sports newspaper), and ESPN. Some incidents led to reviews by refereeing committees within CONMEBOL and the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol. Simultaneously, Roldán has been praised for authoritative control in heated derbies like meetings between Atlético Junior and Millonarios F.C., as well as in knockout ties of the Copa Libertadores where his interpretations of the Laws of the Game impacted tournament outcomes.
Roldán is recognized for a proactive refereeing style that emphasizes disciplinary measures to manage player conduct, earning him both commendations and criticism from figures such as former referees who served at FIFA seminars and managers from top-flight clubs. His reputation within South American football refereeing circles has secured appointments to major fixtures and nominations for regional recognition by bodies linked to CONMEBOL and national associations like the Federación Colombiana de Fútbol. He has participated in training programs and seminars alongside referees who later officiated at the FIFA World Cup and has been included in panels discussing the integration of VAR technology and interpretation standards promoted by IFAB and FIFA.
Category:Colombian football referees Category:1980 births Category:Living people