AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023: AFC President Emphasizes Officials' Role in Tournament's Success

By A Robin - January 14, 2024

AFC President

The President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa stressed the importance of the role of referees in the success of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, which will continue until Feb.10 and see 24 national teams competing for the title.

The AFC President met with the 73 officials at the InterContinental Doha ahead of the opening match of the 18th edition of Asia's crown jewel between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon at the iconic Lusail Stadium. Among the officials were the five female referees and assistant referees who are poised to create history as the first ever women match officials to be involved at Asia's most prestigious men's national team competition.

"Our match officials have cemented their status as one of the best worldwide. Their pivotal role is indispensable, as without them, there would be no tournament. As we strive together to deliver the greatest AFC Asian Cup ever, I have complete confidence in their ability to demonstrate the highest standards of officiating", he noted.

The contingent of match officials for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 comprises a total of 34 referees and 39 assistant referees including standby nominees for each position from 18 Member Associations.

A five-day Referees Seminar was held in October as part of preparations, which focused on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology set to make its full debut in Qatar following its successful implementation from the Quarter-final stage in the 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates.

All 51 matches at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 will also see VAR complemented by the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) system - the first time that SAOT will be in place at an AFC competition, making the AFC the first Confederation in world football to apply the system at the Continental Men's national team level.

(QNA)