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.
Sinner edges into Indian Wells quarter-finals after beating Fonesca
Sabalenka defeats Osaka, Zverev reaches Indian Wells quarters
Bayern crush Atalanta as Atletico punish Tottenham errors
Matt Snell, Jets' Super Bowl III hero, dies at 84
Lemina header gives Galatasaray win over Liverpool
