Oman’s referee Ahmed Al Kaf announces retirement after 20 year career

Muscat: Omani international football referee Ahmed Abu Bakr Al Kaf has officially announced his retirement from refereeing after a distinguished career spanning 20 years, during which he officiated numerous domestic, continental and international competitions. In a farewell message, Al Kaf said he was retiring from a profession he had loved deeply, describing the past two decades as a journey marked by challenges, sacrifices, intensive preparation, physical training and constant travel.He noted that his career had also included both praise and criticism, adding that these experiences are part of the nature and enjoyment of football.Al Kaf leaves behind a notable record on the Asian football scene, having officiated three AFC Champions League final matches.His appearances in the competition’s finals came in 2016, 2018 and 2022. He refereed the first leg of the 2016 final between South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and the UAE’s Al Ain, the second leg of the 2018 final between Japan’s Kashima Antlers and Iran’s Persepolis, and the first leg of the 2022 final between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.Al Kaf also officiated in the AFC Champions League for 10 consecutive seasons, in addition to taking part in the AFC Asian Cup, the AFC U-23 Asian Cup and other major continental competitions.His retirement marks the end of one of Oman’s most prominent refereeing careers on the Asian football stage.