AFC Enforces Referee Change for Esteghlal’s Crucial Asian Fixture
In a significant administrative update, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has issued an official communication to Iran’s Esteghlal Football Club, notifying them of a complete change to the officiating team for their upcoming match against Jordan’s Al-Wehdat.
The change, attributed to an injury sustained by one of the originally appointed Omani match officials, brings a new refereeing squad to the pitch. This last-minute adjustment underscores the dynamic and highly regulated nature of international sports governance, where continental bodies like the AFC maintain strict operational control over competitive proceedings.
The New Officiating Team
The AFC has appointed a predominantly Saudi Arabian team to oversee the match. The full list of officials is as follows:
- Head Referee: Mohammed Khaled (Saudi Arabia)
- Assistant Referee 1: Khalaf Al-Shammari (Saudi Arabia)
- Assistant Referee 2: Yasir Sultan (Saudi Arabia)
- Fourth Official: Salim Saeed Hamid Al-Majarfi (Oman)
- Match Commissioner: Najeh Rahim Rashid (Iraq)
This development places the focus on the seamless execution of international sports protocols, ensuring that high-stakes matches proceed without disruption, governed by the established frameworks of the Asian football authority.