London, UK, 5 March 2024 – Personar welcomes João Capela, a world-renowned international FIFA referee and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) expert, as our newest Senior Advisor. With over two decades of experience in sports officiating, including eight years as a distinguished FIFA international referee and as a professional Referee and VAR at Portuguese Football Federation, João brings unparalleled expertise and innovation to our team.
"We're extremely excited to welcome João Capela to Personar as our newest Senior Advisor," said Adrian Jones, CEO of Personar. "His expertise in sports officiating and VAR systems perfectly aligns with our mission to revolutionize professional workflows and decision-making processes through AI. With João's guidance, we're ready to enhance our existing solutions like TrackSwift and expand into new categories, helping businesses and professional sports organizations become more efficient and effective."
João Capela shared his enthusiasm: "Joining Personar marks an exciting new chapter in my career. I'm eager to merge my passion for sports officiating and the VAR process, with cutting-edge AI technology, collaborating with the talented team at Personar to pioneer transformative solutions across. Together, we'll redefine the boundaries of what AI can do, and drive efficiency, consistency, and excellence of the VAR technology in professional organizations worldwide."
João Capela’s dedication to the sport extends beyond the field, with roles as a FIFA VAR Instructor since 2012 and leadership position in the last four years as CRC Member and VAR Manager at the Hellenic Football Federation contributing significantly to the VAR education, training, and development for Greek Professional Football. João was instrumental in refining officiating standards at the national level, serving as the National Association VAR Responsible for the UEFA Greek National Team in the last European qualifications. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of referees is evident through his work as a Referee Instructor since 2014.
Off the pitch, his leadership, emotional intelligence, and professional resilience shine through his role as a Behavioral Change Agent and Ambassador for initiatives such as the Sport without Bullying Project and the National Plan for Ethics in Sport. João’s illustrious career stands as a testament to his multifaceted expertise and enduring impact on sports and community leadership. With his experience and commitment, he is set to make invaluable contributions to Personar as Senior Advisor.