AIFF conducts elite referee evaluation programme ahead of new football season

The AIFF conducted its Elite Referee Assessor and Referee Instructor Evaluation Programme in Gwalior to prepare for the 2026-27 football season. Thirty-one participants were assessed on officiating standards, match analysis, communication skills and FIFA and AFC guidelines

Hyderabad: The All India Football Federation conducted the AIFF Elite Referee Assessor and Referee Instructor Evaluation Programme at the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) in Gwalior from June 28 to July 1, 2026, as part of its preparations for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

The programme was conducted by FIFA and AFC Referee Instructor Ismail Adnan Alhafi (Jordan), Referee Assessor Manager Anthony John D’Costa, and AFC Referee Instructors Maria Rebello and Baskar Purushothaman.

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The four-day programme brought together 31 participants, comprising 28 men and three women from the Indian Super League (ISL) and Indian Football League (IFL) referee assessor panels, who underwent a comprehensive evaluation process designed to enhance the quality and consistency of officiating across Indian football.

Throughout the programme, participants were evaluated across several key areas, including knowledge and application of the Laws of the Game and the latest amendments, video analysis and incident interpretation, presentation and communication skills, English proficiency and incident reporting, recognition and handling of Key Match Incidents (KMIs), match assessment and grading, and the preparation and delivery of referee debriefs.

The evaluation programme forms part of the AIFF’s annual preparations ahead of the new domestic football season, ensuring that referee assessors and instructors remain aligned with the latest FIFA and AFC standards and methodologies. By strengthening the capabilities of those responsible for evaluating and mentoring match officials, the programme aims to contribute to higher standards of refereeing across national competitions.

The Elite Referee Assessor and Referee Instructor Evaluation Programme marks the beginning of the AIFF’s preparations for the 2026-27 season, with a comprehensive series of evaluation programmes and fitness tests for referees and match officials scheduled to be conducted in the coming weeks.