Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manama: Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has praised the Asian match officials at the Rio Olympic Games 2016 and, in particular, referee Alireza Faghani and his assistants Reza Sokhandan and Mohammadreza Mansouri - from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Faghani made history by becoming the first Asian referee to be in charge of the men's Olympic football final - in which the hosts Brazil beat Germany in a penalty shoot-out. Faghani was also the referee of last year's FIFA Club World Cup final.
Shaikh Salman has personally written to Faghani and his colleagues from the Islamic Republic of Iran to congratulate them on their historic achievement at the Rio Olympics. ‘Your appointment was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to your career. It was well deserved and you represented Asia wonderfully well,’ the AFC President wrote.
Faghani's appointment to the final capped an excellent tournament for Asian match officials in which DPR Korea referee Ri Hyang-ok was in control of the women's semi-final between Canada and Germany. Ri was joined in the semi-final by assistant referees, compatriot Hong Kum-nyo and Australian Allyson Flynn.
Shaikh Salman said: "In the AFC's Vision and Mission there was a clear objective for Asia to improve performances on the world stage. This applied not only to players and teams but also referees and it is a great testimony to the refereeing standards on the continent that Alireza Faghani was appointed to the final.
“I am also delighted for Ri Hyang-ok and they have now set the benchmark for all our officials and will be an inspiration for both men and women match officials in the years to come.
“I am sure one day that we will have an Asian referee in a FIFA World Cup final and that will be a tribute to the legacy of these referees and also to all those working so hard to raise the standards of match officials.
“On behalf of the AFC, I congratulate all those officials who worked so hard to reach the Olympic Games and, again, I praise them for the way that they have represented their colleagues in Asia in such an outstanding manner.”
Photo: FIFA/Getty Images