Match officials gain valuable insights from AFC Refereeing STAR Programme

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Match officials gain valuable insights from AFC Refereeing STAR Programme

Kuala Lumpur: The first official AFC Refereeing STAR Programme successfully concluded on Monday with match officials from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) benefiting from the innovative development project.

The AFC Refereeing STAR Programme, which was launched in March 2021, is a remote education initiative that provides all 47 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations (MAs) with exclusive and customisable refereeing resources.

Iranian female referees create Asian futsal history 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Iranian female referees create Asian futsal history 

Kuala Lumpur: Asian refereeing marked a historic milestone this week when Islamic Republic of Iran match officials Fathi Zari and Gelareh Nazemi became the first female referees to officiate in an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) men’s futsal competition.

Zari was the first to carve her name in the history books after being appointed as the Second Referee of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 Asian Playoff tie between Vietnam and Lebanon on Sunday, with Nazemi selected for the same position in the return leg on Tuesday, which saw the Southeast Asians clinch their spot for the global futsal showpiece.

AFC Referees Committee strengthens development of Asia’s match officials 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Referees Committee strengthens development of Asia’s match officials 

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Referees Committee underlined its determination to elevate the development of Asia’s match officials by approving the new criteria for the AFC Member Association (MA)’s International Referees Quota for 2023 to 2024 at its third meeting held virtually on Tuesday.

Led by Chairperson His Excellency (HE) Du Zhaocai, the committee members recognised the need to continuously enhance the foundations for AFC MAs through the new criteria and also paid tribute to the Continent’s match officials for their role in the successful and safe staging of the AFC Champions League (West) Group Stage.

VAR set for AFC Champions League Knockout Stage and AFC Cup Final

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

VAR set for AFC Champions League Knockout Stage and AFC Cup Final

Kuala Lumpur: The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be implemented for the second straight season from the Quarter-final stage of the 2021 AFC Champions League and in the AFC Cup Final for the first time.  

After the VAR’s debut in the last edition of the AFC Champions League, which was the first in AFC Club Competitions history, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will continue to set new benchmarks in Asian refereeing by adding the system in the AFC Cup Final.

Renowned match officials join AFC Refereeing STAR Programme as coaches

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Renowned match officials join AFC Refereeing STAR Programme as coaches

Kuala Lumpur: Alireza Faghani from the Islamic Republic of Iran, a two-time Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referee of the Year, is among the star-studded coaches to lend their expertise in the newly launched AFC Refereeing STAR Programme. 

Faghani, who has officiated in the FIFA World Cup, AFC Asian Cup and AFC Champions League, are joined by other coaches including FIFA Women’s World Cup referee Qin Liang of China PR and AFC Elite Referee Instructors Vladislav Tseytlin of Uzbekistan and Awni Hassouneh of Jordan in the remote education initiative that provides AFC Member Associations (MAs) with exclusive and customisable refereeing resources.

AFC launches innovative Refereeing STAR Programme

Mon, 30 Nov, -0001

AFC launches innovative Refereeing STAR Programme

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today reinforced its commitment towards building on and maintaining the high standards of match officials on the Continent by launching the AFC Refereeing STAR Programme – a remote education initiative that provides Member Associations (MAs) with exclusive and customisable refereeing resources.

Available to all 47 AFC MAs, the AFC Refereeing STAR Programme aims to provide match officials with a range of unique courses to be delivered online, which will enable the AFC to enhance the delivery of its education programmes by embracing the latest technological advances.

History-making Yamashita revels in refereeing responsibility 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

History-making Yamashita revels in refereeing responsibility 

Tokyo: History was made when Yoshimi Yamashita, alongside Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi, took charge of a group match between Myanmar's Yangon United and Cambodia's Naga World in the 2019 AFC Cup. It marked the first time that an all-female team officiated a continental men's match in Asia. The game ended in 2-0 in hosts Yangon's favour but the fixture had a greater resonance than simply the scoreline.

"I felt greater pressure than usual ahead of the match," the 34-year-old told FIFA.com. "I was honoured to be tasked with officiating this match, but I was also aware that I had the responsibility to try my best and do the job well. It was a game which opened a new path for female referees.

"I had a feeling that this match might be significant for the future of female referees," continued Yamashita. "All that I needed to do was concentrate on my work in the match. I was grateful for the decision made by AFC as well as all those who worked hard to make this happen."