In a first, Asian Cup adds European match officials to work at Saudi-hosted tournament

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia will include match officials from Europe for the first time as part of an exchange agreement announced Thursday for the 2028 European Championship.

Referee Donatas Rumšas will be joined by two assistants from their home country Lithuania, plus video review official Aleandro Di Paolo from Italy, at the Jan. 7-Feb. 5 tournament, the Asian Football Confederation said.

Match officials from the AFC also will be invited for the first time by UEFA, the AFC said, to Euro 2028 being co-hosted by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The cooperation deal between the Asian and European soccer bodies comes at a volatile time for the sport’s global politics.

UEFA and AFC leaders have joined to call for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to leave office in the fallout from his failed plan to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors.

Infantino was in the Saudi kingdom Wednesday to attend an Arabian Gulf Cup game in Jeddah, which will be an Asian Cup host city with two stadiums.

The 38-year-old Rumšas was due in action later Thursday refereeing Portugal’s home game against Wales in the Nations League.

UEFA invited referee Facundo Tello’s team of match officials from Argentina to work at Euro 2024.

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