The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Emirati referee Yahya Ali Al Mulla passed three rounds of evaluations before joining its elite panel for 2021.
"I attribute this achievement to the UAE Football Association under the chairmanship of Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, for their support and determination to develop refereeing at all levels and to introduce a set of competences which serve as the basis for talent identification, training and quality control of referees," said Al Mulla, who will be invited to the AFC Elite Referees Seminar in 2021.
The referees selected for the panel will be eligible to officiate at the most prestigious competitions at the continental and international stages.


UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF hit out at Infantino over World Cup stake sale
Malawi book first-ever place at Women's World Cup
All Blacks lose Proctor to fractured shoulder on South Africa tour
Sinner withdraws from Cincinnati Open with knee injury
Khan replaces Sudharsan in India's squad for Sri Lanka tests
