Oman Football Association (OFA) issued a strong condemnation on Monday following an unprovoked attack and threatening behavior directed at Omani international referee Ahmed Abu Bakar Al Kaf and his assistants.
The incident occurred after the Asian Qualifiers match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Bahrain and Indonesia on October 10 in Riffa, Bahrain.
The tension arose when Bahrain scored a last-minute goal during added time to secure a 2-2 draw, sparking outrage from the Indonesian camp. They argued that referee Al Kaf failed to end the match after the designated six minutes of added time, during which Indonesia was leading 2-1.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), OFA condemned the actions of certain fans and other parties involved, labeling the behavior as unacceptable. The association emphasized the professionalism and integrity of the Omani refereeing team, stating: “We affirm our absolute rejection of this out-of-context behavior by a number of fans and some relevant parties, warning of the consequences of these actions. The Omani refereeing team has consistently upheld international standards, earning recognition among Asia’s elite referees.”
OFA also called on FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to protect referees and ensure their safety in line with the governing bodies’ regulations. The statement underscored OFA’s commitment to supporting its referees and working with authorities to safeguard their well-being.
“The Oman Football Association once again pledges its unwavering support for international referee Ahmed Al Kaf and his team. We remain confident in their competence and commend their performance, wishing them continued success in their continental and international careers,” the statement concluded.
Credit Photo : AFC
