Bas Nijhuis

Who is Bas Nijhuis?

Bas Nijhuis is a Dutch football referee. Since 2007 he has officiated for FIFA international matches. Nijhuis comes from Enschede and is full-time butcher.

Inspired by his father, who had also served as a referee, Nijhuis began refereeing at the age of 15 years. In March 2005 he made his debut in a SC Heerenveen match against RKC Waalwijk in the highest Dutch league, the Eredivisie. He has served as an official in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup in 2007 after being appointed as a FIFA referee. In 2009, Nijhuis was one of six referees at the FIFA U-19 Football Championship.

In 2011 he was selected for the U-17 World Cup in Mexico. Nijhuis has also officiated in qualifying matches for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

On 21 December 2011 Bas Nijhuis gained worldwide attention and public criticism for sending off AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado in a KNVB Cup second round match against Ajax after an Ajax supporter ran onto the pitch of the Amsterdam Arena and attacked him, prompting Alvarado to retaliate in self-defence by kicking the attacker several times. Alvarado's sending off caused his manager, Gertjan Verbeek, to order the team to walk off and abandon the match in protest.