Ma Ning will go to third World Cup if asked, but hopes to see new Chinese referees emerge

Chinese referee Ma Ning hopes to “pass the torch” to the next generation of football officials in the country, and encouraged them to show the world what they are capable of.

Ma became only the second official from the mainland to take charge of a game at the Fifa World Cup when he oversaw Curacao’s goalless draw with Ecuador this summer – and the first to serve at two different tournaments.

While he does not know if he would want to stand at a third, he said he would gladly do so if his country were to ask.

In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post on Monday, Ma also said he believed it was essential for any newcomer to genuinely love the game, and while mistakes would always happen, anyone hoping to follow in his footsteps should be devoted to minimising them.

“Coming back from the World Cup, I feel my physical condition and competitive status remain at a very high standard,” said Ma, ahead of his appearance in a panel discussion at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum.

“I am OK, and it would not be impossible for me to carry on until the next World Cup. But personally, I am sure I would not participate in the nomination process or compete for a spot at the next World Cup.”