Javier Arriaga Muñiz's early involvement in football came as a player, but it was in the area of refereeing that he left his mark upon the game at the Mexican, CONCACAF and FIFA levels. Mr. Arriaga became Chairman of the CONCACAF Referees Committee and served as Refereeing Coordinator for the 1968 Olympic Games. In 1969 he began a run of 21 years of devoted service as a member of the FIFA Referees Committee, with which he worked constantly and diligently to improve standards and opportunities for game officials in the region.