United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA) has issued a strong statement of support for Shabab Al Ahli following recent controversies surrounding their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Semi-Final.
Dated 22 April 2026, the statement underscores the federation’s commitment to protecting the rights of its clubs while urging improvements in officiating standards across Asian competitions.
In its official communication, the UAE FA reaffirmed full backing for Shabab Al Ahli in any steps taken to safeguard the club’s rights.
The federation also called on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to ensure the appointment of competent and suitable refereeing teams for all competitions it organizes—whether at club or national team level.
The move reflects growing concern over refereeing decisions, particularly in high-stakes matches.
The UAE FA emphasized that football is evolving rapidly on the global stage, and officiating must keep pace across all aspects—technical, organizational, and refereeing—to guarantee fairness for all teams.
The statement highlighted the need for consistent and high-quality refereeing, especially in decisive fixtures such as knockout rounds.
The federation’s response comes in the wake of incidents during Shabab Al Ahli’s match against Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals.
It confirmed that the UAE FA will stand firmly alongside the club regarding any developments arising from the match, signaling readiness to support formal actions if required.
Beyond the controversy, the UAE FA expressed strong solidarity with Shabab Al Ahli, praising the club’s ambition and ability to compete at the highest level.
The federation noted that the team possesses all the qualities needed to achieve success and remain competitive on the continental stage.
Credit Photo : AFC
