The seminar, conducted by Argentinian referee Mariano Travaglino, was held in Santiago and organised by the Blind Sport Federation of Chile (FENADDIVI) and the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Chile.

The organisations are working closely in a bid to develop blind football in the country, with Chile hoping to host a major international tournament in the near future.

The seminar was divided into four parts, including a five-hour theoretical session that was held at the Chilean Olympic Training Centre and attended by more than 50 professional referees.

It also featured three hands-on sessions involving practice on a pitch in the facilities of a local football club.

The practical sessions included instruction on pitch placement and provided an opportunity to put on eyeshades to experience the sport first-hand from the point of view of a blind player.

The budding blind football referees were then given the chance to act as officials in Chilean national blind football league matches under the watchful eye of Travaglino.

At the end of the event, FENADDIVI President Emiliano Rios handed over certificates to the newly-qualified referees along with Travaglino and Luis Vazquez, FENADDIVI general secretary and a member of the Chilean NPC.

Blind football, which sees five-a-side teams compete, is considered one of the most popular blind sports and is featured at IBSA World Championships, World Games and the Paralympic Games.

Paralympic hosts Brazil top the current IBSA world rankings ahead of attempting to retain their title at Rio 2016, with Argentina lying in second place.