Igor Stojchevski ends refereeing career after Macedonia–Russia youth match

Igor Stojchevski announced on social media on October 11, 2026 at 17:07 that he has ended his career as a football referee and will not officiate any more matches.

The decision follows last week’s high-profile youth international between North Macedonia and Russia (2:3), in which Stojchevski awarded four penalties — a sequence that drew strong reaction, particularly within Russian football.

In his post he said he had informed the relevant officials at the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM). According to Stojchevski, the message reached the FFM president, the head of the referees' organization and the delegate commissioner.

He explained his motivation in direct terms: "I informed the president of the FFM and the head of the referees' organization, as well as the delegate commissioner, that I have no intention of refereeing any more. I want to be with my family in these difficult family times and I do not want to allow my loved ones to suffer from untruths and manipulations spread in public by convicted criminals."

Immediate impact and context

The announcement closes Stojchevski’s active work on the pitch after a career in domestic officiating and brings an end to the debate around the contentious youth international. The Federation has not released a public statement on his resignation at the time of his post.

Within the domestic football community, reactions are expected over the coming days as clubs and refereeing authorities assess the implications for upcoming fixtures and referee appointments.

Photo: press material from the event