Referees - Latest News

AFC Elite Referee Instructors’ Certification concludes successfully

Mon, 18 Nov, 2024

AFC Elite Referee Instructors’ Certification concludes successfully

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted the AFC Elite Referee Instructors’ Certification 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from November 11 to 15, 2024.

Spanning five days, the course brought together 22 refereeing technical instructors from 15 Member Associations (MAs), as well as eight refereeing fitness instructors from six MAs who participated in multiple activities designed to enhance officiating standards across the Continent.

Beyond the Field: A glimpse into the referees' journey at #AsianCup2023

Thu, 24 Oct, 2024

Beyond the Field: A glimpse into the referees' journey at #AsianCup2023

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), today, unveiled the first episode of ‘Beyond the Field’, a documentary series offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the roles and responsibilities of match officials at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™.

Spanning five episodes, each focusing on a distinct aspect of refereeing at the continental showpiece, the documentary takes passionate fans of Asian football on a journey that provides a window into the mental and physical demands faced by match officials as they uphold the highest standards of officiating at the grandest edition of Asia’s crown jewel.

Asian Referees mark debut on global stage

Thu, 17 Oct, 2024

Asian Referees mark debut on global stage

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s resolve to develop and produce world-class match officials was further strengthened with the appointment of six Asian referees and assistant referees at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024.

The eighth edition of the competition, taking place from October 16 to November 3, will witness all six officials take their places in history as they mark their debut on the global stage.

AFC Referee Academy conducts advanced onsite module for Batch 4

Tue, 22 Oct, 2024

AFC Referee Academy conducts advanced onsite module for Batch 4

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s quest to raise officiating standards on the Continent reached yet another milestone when it conducted its penultimate advanced onsite module for Batch 4 of the acclaimed AFC Referees Academy from October 7 to 11, 2024, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The five-day programme saw 39 referees from across the AFC’s Member Associations engage in intensive training sessions, aimed at enhancing their decision-making capabilities as well as levels of physical fitness.

Asian referees confirmed for FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024

Sat, 14 Sep, 2024

Asian referees confirmed for FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation’s success in nurturing world-class referees was once again reiterated with the appointment of nine Asian officials at the upcoming FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024.

Taking place from September 14 to October 6, the 2024 edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup will see the global showpiece taking place in Asia for the fourth time.

AFC Referee Academy graduate to officiate at #U20WWC

Fri, 30 Aug, 2024

AFC Referee Academy graduate to officiate at #U20WWC

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reached another significant milestone in its ambition to increase the representation of Asian officials on the global stage with the appointment of China PR’s Dong Fangyu as referee for Saturday’s enticing clash between France and Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024.

This historic appointment will see Dong become the first ever graduate from the AFC Referee Academy to take charge of a match at a FIFA competition, further underlining the Confederation’s commitment towards maximising the potential of its Member Associations and Regional Associations.

AFC VAR Course 2024 sets stage for upcoming season

Fri, 23 Aug, 2024

AFC VAR Course 2024 sets stage for upcoming season

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) further reiterated its commitment towards maintaining the highest officiating standards when it conducted the AFC Video Assistant Referees (VAR) Course which concluded on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, 2024.

Taking place from August 19 to 23, the highly anticipated programme was attended by 23 match officials from across the length and breadth of the Continent.

Officials gear up for new season at AFC Elite Women Referees & Assistant Referees Seminar

Thu, 15 Aug, 2024

Officials gear up for new season at AFC Elite Women Referees & Assistant Referees Seminar

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reiterated its commitment to provide tailormade support to its match officials by conducting the AFC Women's Elite Referees & Assistant Referees Seminar from August 12 to 15, 2024 in Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

Attended by 78 women match officials from across Asia, the four-day course provided the participants with the opportunity to further enhance their skills ahead of the 2024/25 season through a number of theoretical and practical exercises.

Participants gain valuable insights at AFC Elite Futsal Referees Seminar 2024

Fri, 02 Aug, 2024

Participants gain valuable insights at AFC Elite Futsal Referees Seminar 2024

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s determination to maintain the highest standards of officiating was yet again underscored with the conclusion of the AFC Elite Futsal Referees Seminar 2024 on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Taking place from July 29 to August 2, the seminar proved to be an excellent platform for the 53 match officials in attendance to enhance their skills and update their existing knowledge.

AFC Referees Committee enhances criteria of breakthrough AFC Referee Academy

Tue, 23 Jul, 2024

AFC Referees Committee enhances criteria of breakthrough AFC Referee Academy

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referees Committee today approved several decisions aimed at strengthening the quality of Asia’s thriving match officials at its second meeting held virtually, further reiterating its desire to ensure the AFC remains at the forefront of world refereeing.

At the outset, Chairperson Hany Taleb B S Al-Raeesi acknowledged the consistent rise of Asian refereeing in the global context, noting the continued appointment of the Continent’s match officials on the world’s biggest stages.

AFC Member Associations Referee Directors convene for enriching workshop

Fri, 19 Jul, 2024

AFC Member Associations Referee Directors convene for enriching workshop

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s quest to enhance the standards of Asian match officials continued apace with the conclusion of the AFC Member Associations (MAs) Referee Directors Workshop on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Taking place in a physical setting for the first time in five years, the acclaimed workshop was attended by 45 Referee Directors and representatives from the AFC’s MAs.

AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2024 returns after six year hiatus

Sat, 29 Jun, 2024

AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2024 returns after six year hiatus

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s quest towards maintaining excellence in developing the Continent’s match officials reached yet another milestone with the conclusion of the AFC Elite Referees Seminar 2024 on Friday.

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.