Changes to Libya’s proposed list of international referees for FIFA have triggered a dispute within the country’s football community, with the head of the referees committee, Essam Al-Jahani, reportedly considering his resignation.
The Libyan Football Federation’s referees committee, led by Al-Jahani, had initially prepared and approved a list of seven referees based on technical and physical ability and their successful completion of the required official tests.
The original list featured Moataz Al-Shalmani, Ahmed Al-Shalmani, Abdul Wahid Hariwida, Abdul Basit Shahoub, Naseeb Al-Hawari, Hatem Al-Khadouri and Ashraf Omar Juma.
However, the executive office of the Libyan Football Federation, headed by Abdul-Mawla Al-Maghribi, subsequently made changes to the approved list and replaced two of the referees.
The decision has prompted questions within Libyan football about the criteria used to make the changes and the reasons behind the removal of the two officials from the list submitted for international consideration.
One of the most notable names affected was Ahmed Al-Shalmani, regarded as one of Libya’s leading referees over the past five years. He also holds an advanced FIFA ranking and is described as the only Libyan referee who speaks English fluently, a qualification that enabled him to work with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) teams at major continental and international competitions.
Naseeb Al-Hawari was also removed from the list. He had finished first among the referees at national level after achieving the highest results in the theoretical, practical and physical examinations.
The changes have led to growing discontent among members of the sports and refereeing communities, with questions being raised about why referees who had met the technical and physical requirements were subsequently left out.
The dispute has also raised concerns about the relationship between the referees committee and the executive leadership of the Libyan Football Federation, particularly over the authority to determine the final international list.
Calls have emerged for the Football Federation’s leadership to explain the standards and procedures behind the amendments. Those calling for clarification say transparency is needed to protect equal opportunities and preserve the progress made by Libyan refereeing at continental and international level.
The situation could now lead to a further development within the federation.
WinWin has learned from private sources that Al-Jahani may formally submit his resignation as head of the referees committee in response to the changes. The sources said the decision to replace the two referees could lead him to protest what he regards as interference in his authority and a breach of the list he had personally submitted to the Football Federation.
The potential resignation adds another layer to the dispute, as the controversy over the international referees list continues to generate concern within Libyan football circles.
