LAHORE – Pakistani Khurram Shahzad became a FIFA Referee after world soccer’s ruling body awarded a total of seven Referee and Assistant Referee badges to Pakistani referees.
“The referees are entitled to officiate at FIFA and AFC fixtures, both at club and international level. I hope that they will maintain their fitness and refereeing level for the rest of the year.” said PFF President Faisal Saleh Hayat. “The work of these officials would be constantly monitored and it is mandatory that each of them shows consistent quality performances,” said Faisal, who added that the new fitness test is designed to test the physical fitness and mental strength of the referees.
Faisal said: “The nominations for these badges are for one year only and nominations for the following year will depend on performances along with the successful completion of physical tests and fulfillment of duties in a professional manner throughout the season.”
Khurram is well poised for entrance in the AFC Elite Referees Panel and he was one of main referees in Pakistan Premier League and PFF League. He is best remembered for his brilliant refereeing in the Second Super Football League. He supervised the tense Karachi Energy-Quetta Zorawar final, and was later voted “Best SFL Referee.” Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Football Association’s Syed Zahir Ali Shah and Secretary Agha Syed Noor Ahmad Shah praised Shazad’s performane during last five years as referee and congratulated him on making it to the FIFA Referee list.
