Egyptian football is on the cusp of an update to its international referee list, with a single change anticipated. According to Ahmed Shobier, a former Al Ahly goalkeeper and Egypt international, the change involves Khalid Gamal El-Ghandour potentially replacing Mahmoud Ashour in the video assistant referee (VAR) role. This update is expected to be announced soon by the Egyptian Football Association.
The Egyptian Football Association's Referees Committee, led by Essam Abdelfattah, is nearing the finalization of the new international referee list. This list will come into effect on October 1st. Shobier, during his radio show "Ma Shobier" on On Sport FM, mentioned that the committee is working to finalize the names before sending the list officially. The changes are expected to be minimal, particularly among field referees and assistants.
Shobier highlighted that Khalid Gamal El-Ghandour has been performing well and has received praise from several observers. He emphasized that while El-Ghandour, like any referee, may make mistakes, his overall performance has been impressive. Shobier also stressed the importance of supporting referees rather than excessive criticism.
The former goalkeeper expressed his desire to see an increase in the number of highly-regarded Egyptian referees on the international stage. He cited notable Egyptian referees from the past, such as Mohamed Youssef, Ali Qandeel, and Mohamed Hosam. Shobier believes that Egypt should aim to have more referees at the top level, comparable to the best from countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
The anticipated change in the international referee list is seen as a positive step for Egyptian football. With Khalid Gamal El-Ghandour poised to join the list, Egypt can look forward to having a strong representation in international competitions. The Egyptian Football Association's efforts to finalize and announce the new list are eagerly awaited by football fans.
Shobier's insights into the referee list update have generated significant interest among football enthusiasts. His comments on the performance of Khalid Gamal El-Ghandour and the need for more Egyptian referees on the international stage have sparked discussions. Fans are hopeful that the new list will reflect positively on Egyptian football.
As the Egyptian Football Association prepares to announce the updated international referee list, the focus is on the impact this change will have. With minimal changes expected, the emphasis is on ensuring that the selected referees are capable of handling international matches effectively. The involvement of Khalid Gamal El-Ghandour is seen as a promising development for Egyptian refereeing.
Key points
- One change is expected in Egypt's international referee list, with Khalid Gamal El-Ghandour likely replacing Mahmoud Ashour.
