Malaysian referee to officiate beach soccer World Cup final in Russia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian referee Suhaimi Mat Hassan has been appointed as the main referee for the 2021 Beach Soccer World Cup final in Moscow, Russia.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in a statement said that the 45-year-old referee was given the honour to officiate the championship match between the hosts and Japan at 12.30 am (Monday) Malaysian time, at the Luzhniki Beach Soccer Arena.

Suhaimi will be assisted by Sofien Benchabane of France as the second referee, Gionni Matticoli of Italy (third referee), Hany Farouk of Egypt (timekeeper) and Turki Al Salehi of Oman as reserve referee.

According to FAM, Suhaimi, who is one of four referees from Asia, had been the main referee for Belarus vs El Salvador (Group C), as well as the second referee for Portugal vs Senegal (Group D) and El Salvador vs Switzerland (Group C) during the tournament which began Aug 19th.

This is Suhaimi's fifth stint at the Beach Soccer World Cup, having previously officiated at the prestigious tournament in Italy in 2011, Tahiti (2013), Portugal (2015) and Paraguay (2019).

"In the 2019 edition, he was also selected to serve in the final match between Italy and Portugal as a reserve referee. FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin congratulates Suhaimi, and hopes that he is able to do his job well in the final.

"FAM deputy president and FAM Referees Committee chairman Datuk S. Sivasundaram views it as a recognition to the referees from Malaysia, as well as the best personal achievement for Suhaimi that can further enhance his profile," read the statement.

-- BERNAMA