The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, also known as "Khaleeji Al Diyar Arab 27", is set to kick off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with three Moroccan referees selected to officiate in the tournament. The referees are international referee Jalal Jid, and his assistants Zakaria Brensi and Mustafa Akarkad. Additionally, Hamza Al Farq will be part of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team. This participation is a result of a cooperation agreement between the Gulf Football Association and the Confederation of African Football.
The agreement allows for the exchange of expertise and the utilization of refereeing talents outside the Gulf region. The Moroccan referees have undergone a preparatory camp in Jeddah, which included tests, technical and physical programs, and a review of refereeing cases to enhance coordination between referees and VAR officials. The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup will feature referees from 12 countries, including eight Gulf countries, as well as Morocco, Jordan, China, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
The tournament aims to elevate the level of refereeing and exchange experiences. In the opening match between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro will be in charge, while Moroccan Hamza Al Farq will be part of the VAR team alongside Chinese referee Fu Ming. The presence of Moroccan referees in this Gulf competition further solidifies the international reputation of Moroccan refereeing.
The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup will run until October 6, featuring top national teams from the region. The competition provides an opportunity for referees to test their skills before upcoming international events. The Moroccan referees' participation is a testament to the country's growing influence in international football refereeing.
The cooperation agreement between the Gulf Football Association and the Confederation of African Football has opened doors for Moroccan referees to participate in major international tournaments. This exposure will likely have a positive impact on the development of refereeing in Morocco.
The preparatory camp in Jeddah helped the Moroccan referees to fine-tune their skills and prepare for the challenges of the tournament. The camp included a review of refereeing cases, which aimed to enhance the referees' decision-making and coordination with VAR officials.
The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup is a significant event for football in the region, and the participation of Moroccan referees is a notable aspect of the tournament. The competition will be closely watched by football fans and officials, who will be interested in seeing how the referees perform on the international stage.
Key points
- Moroccan referees to officiate in 27th Arabian Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia.
