​Auckland FC vs. Perth Glory: Spotlight on Referee Adam Kersey and Officiating Team

As Auckland FC prepares to face Perth Glory at Go Media Stadium on Sunday, April 27, 2025, attention turns to the appointed officiating team, led by referee Adam Kersey. Kersey’s tenure in the A-League has been marked by several high-profile and contentious decisions, drawing scrutiny from coaches and clubs alike.​

Referee Profile: Adam Kersey

Adam Kersey has officiated numerous A-League matches, with a career that includes both commendations and controversies. In a 2018 match between Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory, Kersey issued a red card to Phoenix defender Ryan Lowry following a VAR review. The decision was later deemed incorrect by the Football Federation Australia’s referees’ department, which stated that a yellow card would have been more appropriate. Despite this, the red card stood, and Lowry served a suspension, leading to criticism from Phoenix’s management and supporters.​

In another incident during a 2020 match between Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory, Kersey’s decision to send off Phoenix defender Tim Payne for a second yellow card, stemming from what appeared to be an accidental clash, was met with disapproval from Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay. Talay called for greater consistency in officiating, highlighting perceived discrepancies in the application of rules.

More recently, in February 2024, Western Sydney Wanderers coach Marko Rudan received a suspension following a post-match outburst directed at Kersey after a 4-3 loss to Macarthur FC. Rudan accused the referee of bias and criticized the league’s officiating standards, resulting in disciplinary action for his comments.

Officiating Team for Auckland FC vs. Perth Glory

• Referee: Adam Kersey

• Assistant Referee 1: Isaac Trevis

• Assistant Referee 2: Adam Powers

• Fourth Official: Calvin Berg

• VAR: Tim Danaskos

• AVAR: Emma Kocbek

The officiating team’s performance will be under scrutiny, especially given Kersey’s history with contentious decisions. Both Auckland FC and Perth Glory will be keenly aware of the importance of fair and consistent officiating in this crucial match.