Referees - Latest News

15 AFC match officials appointed for FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025

15 AFC match officials appointed for FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will be represented by 15 world-class match officials at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 between June 14 and July 13.

The Asian refereeing cast, drawn from five Member Associations, was confirmed today as part of a 117-strong contingent that will officiate at the inaugural edition of the tournament in the United States.

AFC Refereeing STAR Programme empowers match officials in Bhutan

Fri, 04 Apr, 2025

AFC Refereeing STAR Programme empowers match officials in Bhutan

Thimphu: The acclaimed AFC Refereeing STAR programme concluded in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Thursday, marking yet another milestone in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s commitment towards establishing the highest officiating standards on the Continent.

Organised in collaboration with the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF), the programme served as a pre-season preparatory course for match officials, equipping them with enhanced technical knowledge and physical fitness to ensure maximum readiness ahead of the Bhutan Premier League 2025.

Record 11 AFC Referee Academy Graduates Appointed for #AFCU17 Saudi Arabia 2025

Thu, 03 Apr, 2025

Record 11 AFC Referee Academy Graduates Appointed for #AFCU17 Saudi Arabia 2025

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s quest to uphold the highest standards of officiating reached a significant milestone with a record 11 graduates from the AFC Referee Academy being appointed as referees for the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025.

The 2025 edition of the competition will take place from April 3 to 20 across the vibrant cities of Taif and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, with 2012 winners Uzbekistan and 1998 champions Thailand locking horns at the Okaz Stadium in Taif in the opening match.

Officials gain valuable insights at #ACBeachSoccer preparatory course

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

Officials gain valuable insights at #ACBeachSoccer preparatory course

Pattaya: The AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 Referees Preparatory course concluded on Wednesday, ensuring maximum readiness for match officials ahead of the Continental contest which begins on Thursday in Pattaya, Thailand.

Taking place from March 16 to 19, the course served as an opportunity for appointed referees to refresh their knowledge on the latest best practices, reinforcing the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) commitment to upholding the highest refereeing standards.

AFC Women Referees & Assistant Referees Selection Course 2025 concludes successfully

Fri, 14 Feb, 2025

AFC Women Referees & Assistant Referees Selection Course 2025 concludes successfully

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted the AFC Women’s Referees & Assistant Referees Selection Course 2025 from February 10 to 13, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reiterating the Confederation’s commitment towards maximising the potential of its Member Associations (MAs) through tailored support.

The programme, spanning four days, brought together 20 representatives from 17 MAs, providing them with a platform to enhance their refereeing expertise through a carefully curated curriculum designed to evaluate their theoretical knowledge, practical application, and physical fitness.

Participants gain valuable insights at AFC Video Match Officials Selection 2025

Fri, 24 Jan, 2025

Participants gain valuable insights at AFC Video Match Officials Selection 2025

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reaffirmed its commitment towards maintaining the highest officiating standards when it conducted the AFC Video Match Officials Selection in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur from January 20 to 24, 2025.

Spanning five days, the course was attended by a total of 34 participants, 17 of whom were recently added to the FIFA International List as Video Match Officials (VMOs).

AFC Referee Academy Batch 4 completes final advanced onsite module

Fri, 17 Jan, 2025

AFC Referee Academy Batch 4 completes final advanced onsite module

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s unwavering commitment to producing world class match officials reached a significant milestone with the successful completion of the final advanced onsite module for Batch 4 of the AFC Referee Academy.

Taking place from January 13 to 17, the module engaged officials in a series of training sessions, both theoretical and physical, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to uphold the integrity of the beautiful game with utmost precision.

AFC Referee Academy links up with Football Association of Selangor

Tue, 10 Dec, 2024

AFC Referee Academy links up with Football Association of Selangor

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced a two-year partnership between its Referee Academy and the Football Association of Selangor (FAS) to collaborate on referee development initiatives.

Officially unveiled last Thursday morning at a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony at the FAS headquarters in Subang Jaya, the first-of-its-kind link-up will run from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026.

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.