UAE Football Association warns clubs against undermining referees

Dubai: The UAE Football Association (UAEFA) has issued a strong warning to clubs against questioning the integrity or competence of match officials, after Al Ain criticised refereeing decisions following their opening-day 2-1 victory over Al Bataeh in the ADNOC Pro League.

In a statement, the governing body said it “absolutely rejects inappropriate criticism” of referees and confirmed that legal measures will be taken against Al Ain and any other club or individual who undermines the work of its members.

“The development of refereeing is the sole responsibility of the Football Association through committees and highly qualified experts,” the UAEFA said, adding that clubs dissatisfied with local referees can request foreign officials through approved mechanisms.

After the match Al Ain coach Vladimir Ivi claimed his side had five goals, three of which were disallowed. “For the first time in my career, I saw my team score five goals but the final result was 2-1. We definitely deserved more,” the Serbian said during the post-match press conference.

On the pitch, Togolese forward Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba scored in first-half stoppage time with what was officially recorded as the 9,000th goal in ADNOC Pro League history. Al Bataeh equalised in the 69th minute through Uzbekistan’s Azizjon Ganiev, but Al Ain secured the points thanks to Abdoul Karim Traoré’s 82nd-minute header.

The match also marked the debut of Al Ain’s new integrated cooling system at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, where more than 300 air-conditioning units have been installed to improve spectator comfort during the summer heat.

While Al Ain celebrated their first three points of the season, the focus quickly shifted to UAEFA’s broader stance — a clear message that referees will be protected from public criticism, and that legal action is now on the table for any club that crosses the line.