New Referee Team Appointed for Esteghlal’s Asian Encounter
In a decisive administrative move, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially communicated a change in the officiating team for Esteghlal’s upcoming continental match against Jordan’s Al-Wehdat. The switch underscores the AFC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of competition integrity.
AFC’s Official Notification
The AFC formally notified Esteghlal Football Club of the change via an official letter. The match, a key fixture in the Asian club competitions, will now be overseen by a new set of officials, a decision made to ensure the match proceeds without compromise.
Reason for the Change
The Confederation attributed the last-minute alteration to an injury sustained by one of the originally appointed Omani match officials. This proactive step highlights the AFC’s structured protocols for handling unforeseen circumstances, ensuring that all matches are officiated by fully fit and capable teams.
The New Officiating Team
A full refereeing crew from Saudi Arabia will now manage the proceedings. The newly appointed team is as follows:
- Main Referee: Mohammed Khaled (Saudi Arabia)
- Assistant Referee 1: Khalaf Al-Shammari (Saudi Arabia)
- Assistant Referee 2: Yasser Sultan (Saudi Arabia)
- Fourth Official: Salim Saeed Hamid Al-Magrafi (Oman)
- Match Referee Supervisor: Najeh Reham Rashid (Iraq)
This international collaboration reflects the spirit of unity and professional cooperation within Asian football’s governing bodies.
