Taking place in a physical setting for the first time since 2018, two seminars were held simultaneously in Bangkok, Thailand for participants from the East, ASEAN and South regions, and for officials hailing from the West and Central zones, the programme was hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Commencing at the AFC House in February 2020, an introductory module spanning five days was conducted for the enrolled candidates of Batch 2019, setting the stage for the officials to undergo a transformative journey aimed at shaping them into referees fit to officiate at the world’s biggest stages.

The Onsite Module, held from February 26 to March 1, saw 38 men and women referees undergo hands-on training and attend technical sessions covering a range of topics to evaluate their mental abilities, physical fitness, and other qualities befitting those of world-class match officials.

The course, which took place from February 19 to 22, saw 18 women referees and Assistant Referees from 14 AFC Member Associations (MAs) being evaluated on their theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and physical abilities.

The three-day football and futsal refereeing courses marked the final edition in its current form as it paves the way for an exclusive pathway to the AFC Elite Panel through the AFC Referee Academy starting in 2025.

The latest milestone initiative equips Referee Assessors with a diverse array of tools, paving the way for a holistic enhancement of officiating standards in Asian football, whilst serving as a centralised platform for assessors to complete and submit their Referee Assessment Reports to ensure the highest professional standards.

The 2024 edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will see Kuwait’s Abdulaziz Abdullah making his debut at the competition, where he will be accompanied by fellow debutant Ibrahim Yousif Abdulla Ahmed Alraeesi (main image) who hails from the host nation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Referees Seminar, which began on Monday and concluded today afternoon, was attended by the 35 referees who were appointed last month for the Continental showpiece that takes place from 12 January to 10 February 2024.

Taking place between September 25 and 29, the module was attended by 47 referees, both male and female, who underwent extensive training under the guidance of some of the most renowned instructors from across the globe.

Yet another indication of the AFC’s resolve towards establishing itself as a model Confederation, as outlined in its Vision and Mission, the highly interactive and engaging course was aimed towards assisting Asian referees reach the highest levels of officiating.

Spanning over three days, the seminar saw 11 participants from across the AFC’s Member Associations (MAs) receive valuable guidance from some of the world’s most renowned Referee Instructors, namely Pedro Angel Galan Nieto from Spain, Malaysia’s Badrul Hisham Bin Kalam, and Seyedsadreddin Mousavi from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The seminar, which spanned over five days, saw the Elite Futsal Referees participate in both theoretical and practical training sessions in a bid to enhance their skills and uphold the AFC’s ambition of becoming the leading Confederation in the world.

Taking place in a physical setting for the first time since 2018, two seminars were held simultaneously in Bangkok, Thailand for participants from the East, ASEAN and South regions, and for officials hailing from the West and Central zones, the programme was hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Befitting the status of the newly introduced AFC Champions League Elite™, which will see the Continent’s top 24 teams battle for glory, the tournament will implement VAR from the League Stage, which kicks off this September.

The second leg of the enticing clash between United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s Al Ain FC and Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos will kick off at the spectacular Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on May 25.

Commencing at the AFC House in February 2020, an introductory module spanning five days was conducted for the enrolled candidates of Batch 2019, setting the stage for the officials to undergo a transformative journey aimed at shaping them into referees fit to officiate at the world’s biggest stages.

With the first edition of the AFC Cup™ being launched in 2004, Sunday’s final will see the curtains come down on the prestigious tournament, marking the end of an illustrious 19-year run filled with some of the most iconic moments in Asian club football, as the 2024/25 season enters a new era with the introduction of the revamped three-tier club structure.

Set to kick off at 6.30pm, the Group A fixture will mark Kabirov’s officiating debut at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ and the Tajik referee will be supported by compatriots Vafo Karaev and Hasan Karimov, who will serve as assistant referees. Mooud Bonyadifard of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been assigned as the fourth official.

In a bid to ensure that Asian referees are well-versed in the latest technological advancements in officiating, the Confederation conducted the AFC Elite Futsal Referees Seminar in 2023, with the specific intention of familiarizing its match officials with innovations such as the VS system, underscoring the AFC's determination to provide tailor-made support to its match officials.

The Onsite Module, held from February 26 to March 1, saw 38 men and women referees undergo hands-on training and attend technical sessions covering a range of topics to evaluate their mental abilities, physical fitness, and other qualities befitting those of world-class match officials.

Following their 6-1 victory over Belarus in the third-place play-off, IR Iran sealed their second consecutive bronze medal finish in tournaments they've been involved in, after their Bahamas 2017 exploits.

The course, which took place from February 19 to 22, saw 18 women referees and Assistant Referees from 14 AFC Member Associations (MAs) being evaluated on their theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and physical abilities.

The three-day football and futsal refereeing courses marked the final edition in its current form as it paves the way for an exclusive pathway to the AFC Elite Panel through the AFC Referee Academy starting in 2025.

Ma will become the first match official from China PR to oversee an AFC Asian Cup™ Final when he blows the whistle at 6pm to kick off the showdown between Jordan and Qatar in the 18th edition of Asia’s crown jewel.

AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2024 returns after six year hiatus

AFC Referee Academy celebrates graduation of Batch 2019

AFC Referee Academy conducts final advance onsite module for Batch 2019

Participants benefit from landmark AFC Women Referees & Assistant Referees Selection 2024 course

High participation marks AFC Referees Recruitment 2024 course

Referee Assessment innovations set to be introduced at #AsianCup2023

AFC Match Officials confirmed for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024

Match officials gear up for #AsianCup2023 with Referees Seminar

AFC Referee Academy conducts first onsite module for Batch 5

Asian officials benefit from valuable insights at the AFC Video Assistant Referees Course 2023

AFC Elite Futsal Referee Instructors Seminar 2023 concludes successfully

AFC Elite Futsal Referees Seminar 2023 provides valuable insights to participants

AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2024 returns after six year hiatus

VAR to be implemented at all AFC club competitions for 2024/25 season

Match officials confirmed for #ACLFinal 2nd Leg

AFC Referee Academy celebrates graduation of Batch 2019

Match Officials confirmed for AFC Cup™ 2023/2024 Final

Nasrullo Kabirov to referee #AFCU23 opener

Video Support System set to debut at AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024

AFC Referee Academy conducts final advance onsite module for Batch 2019

AFC President congratulates Asian teams and match officials at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024

Participants benefit from landmark AFC Women Referees & Assistant Referees Selection 2024 course

High participation marks AFC Referees Recruitment 2024 course

Ma Ning to referee AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final