1. Early Life and Family Background
Pablo Antonio Pozo Quinteros was born on March 27, 1973, in the O'Higgins Region of Chile. His family has a deep connection to professional football and officiating. His father, Juan, was a professional referee, as is his younger brother, Nicolás. His older brother, Mauricio Pozo, is a former Chile international footballer.
2. Start of Refereeing Career
Pozo began his journey in football officiating within Chile, primarily active in the Primera División de Chile. His talent and progression led him to achieve international recognition when he qualified as a FIFA international referee in 1999. His first official international match as a referee was on September 10, 2003, during a 2006 FIFA World Cup South American Qualifiers match between Bolivia and Colombia.
3. International Refereeing Career
Pablo Pozo's international refereeing career saw him officiate in a variety of significant tournaments across different levels of competition, from youth championships to major senior FIFA events.
3.1. 2008 Summer Olympics
At the 2008 Summer Olympics men's football tournament in Beijing, Pozo officiated three matches. He took charge of two group stage games: the Group B encounter between the Netherlands and Nigeria, and the Group C match between New Zealand and Belgium. He also refereed a crucial semifinal match, once again involving Nigeria against Belgium.
3.2. 2008 FIFA Club World Cup
Pozo was selected to officiate at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup held in Japan. During this tournament, he was assigned to two matches. He refereed the quarter-final fixture between Adelaide United and Gamba Osaka. Later in the tournament, he was also the referee for the third-place play-off match contested by Pachuca and Gamba Osaka.
3.3. 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
In the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, Pablo Pozo officiated two group stage matches. These included the Group B match between the United States and Italy, and the Group A game featuring Spain against South Africa.
3.4. 2010 FIFA World Cup
Pozo's career reached a pinnacle with his selection for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He became the first Chilean referee to participate in a World Cup since Mario Sanchez Yanten in 1998.
He was initially scheduled to officiate the first-round Group C match between Algeria and Slovenia at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on June 13. However, he suffered an injury just days before the match, which prevented him from taking charge. As a result, FIFA named Carlos Batres of Guatemala as his replacement for that game.
Despite the initial setback, Pozo was designated to referee two other group stage matches. On June 21, he officiated the Group G match between Portugal and Korea DPR at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town. Three days later, he was again at the same venue, refereeing the Group E game between Cameroon and the Netherlands.
3.5. Other International Competitions
Beyond the major tournaments, Pozo's international career included officiating in various other competitions. He served as a referee in youth championships such as the 1999 South American Under-17 Football Championship, the 2001 South American Youth Championship, and the 2005 South American Youth Championship. He also participated in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Additionally, he officiated in regional games like the Football at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2004 CONMEBOL Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament, as well as various World Cup qualifiers.
4. Personal Life and Other Professions
Outside of his distinguished career as a football referee, Pablo Pozo also pursued other professional avenues. He was known to be involved in business and also held the profession of an auditor. He stands at a height of 70 in (177 cm).
5. Retirement from Refereeing
Pablo Pozo concluded his active refereeing career in December 2010. His final match as an official was a domestic fixture between Audax Italiano and Unión Española on December 19, 2010.
6. Legacy and Recognition
Pablo Pozo's career holds significant importance in Chilean football officiating. He earned the distinction of being the first Chilean referee to officiate in a FIFA World Cup since Mario Sanchez Yanten's participation in the 1998 tournament. His consistent presence and assignments in major international competitions, including the Olympic Games, FIFA Club World Cup, and FIFA Confederations Cup, underscore his standing as a prominent figure in global football refereeing during his active years. His contributions helped elevate the profile of Chilean referees on the international stage.