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Referees
Taking place from November 3 to 7, 2025, in the Malaysian capital city, Kuala Lumpur, the programme served as an excellent opportunity for the next generation of Asian referees to further hone their skills.
The introduction of futsal referees to the landmark AFC Referee Academy, starting from this year, is a groundbreaking move that ensures that Asian match officials continue to remain at the forefront of the five-a-side game.
Through a balanced mix of classroom instruction, fitness assessments, and on-court activities, the week-long programme equipped participants with the necessary knowledge, physical conditioning, and mental discipline required to manage the modern demands of futsal refereeing.
The opening day set the tone for the educational journey, where a brief introductory session outlined the Academy’s vision for excellence, after which the participants received updates on the key amendments to the Laws of the Game for the 2025/26 season.
The following days included several interesting theory-based activities, where, under the expert guidance of the AFC’s futsal referee instructors, participants examined various aspects of officiating such as managing penalty area incidents, establishing authority, and mastering conflict resolution.
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Other highlights from the classroom sessions included video analyses of match incidents and discussions on tactical concepts such as Game Empathy and Body Language, which helped the candidates sharpen their decision-making skills in high-pressure situations with minimal disruption to the flow of the game.
Complementing the theoretical learning, the practical sessions were designed to test the participants’ ability to meet the challenges that come with the fast-paced environment of futsal.
The on-court activities saw the officials undergo tests focusing on speed, agility, and endurance, while on the final day, the programme featured live matches for the referees to showcase their learnings from the past week in real time.
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Additionally, the programme placed significant focus on personal development through segments that encouraged the participants to reflect on individual aspirations, while promoting the importance of good communication, teamwork, and leadership values.
“As the first female Futsal referee from Australia, I am proud to have been part of the inaugural AFC Futsal Referee Academy,” said Maria Patrikis.
“Through the support of our world-class instructors, we have been given the opportunity to build knowledge and growth for the benefit of the game, whilst also connecting with others to create a stronger future for the game.”
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