Anoud Al-Asmari Will Not Officiate in the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup
The Claim
Anoud Al-Asmari, the first Saudi woman to receive a FIFA international badge, is the first woman to referee football matches in the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Basra, Iraq.
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Emerging story
During the ongoing 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Iraq, social media users and media outlets circulated a claim alleging that Anoud Al-Asmari became the first woman to referee football matches in the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be fake.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation did not include Anoud Al-Asmari among the Saudi referees who were appointed to participate in the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Iraq.
On January 6, the federation listed four male referees to participate in the ongoing tournament, and Anoud Al-Asmari was not among them.
The crew included arena referee Shukri Al Hanfosh, assistant referees Yasser Al-Sultan and Faisal Al Qahtani, as well as video referee Abdullah Alshehri.
Anoud Al-Asmari Refuted the Claim
Anoud Al-Asmari also refuted the claim that linked her to the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup matches.
On January 7, MBC channel reported the news.
Who Is Anoud Al-Asmari?
The Federation of International Football Associations has awarded Anoud Al-Asmari its international referee badge, making her the first Saudi woman to receive the badge.
Out of the eight certified referees, Anoud was the only female referee.
“I am happy to be the first Saudi female referee to receive the international badge in the history of Saudi sports," Asmari was quoted as saying.
The 25th Arabian Gulf Cup
The 25th Arabian Gulf Cup, known as Khaleeji Zain 25, is the 25th edition of the football competition for the eight members of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation.
The event is being held in Iraq for the first time since 1979.
The eight countries participating in the competition are Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Yemen.
On January 6, FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the opening match of the Arabian Gulf Cup 2023 in Basra.
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