The College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at the University of Baghdad organized an awareness lecture on football refereeing, attended by the Assistant Dean for Scientific Affairs, Prof. Mohammed Abdulhussein, along with a number of students from the college.
The lecture was supervised by Dr. Wissam Najib Asliwah, Technical Director of the Iraqi Football Association, and delivered by former international referee Mr. Adel Al-Qassab. During the session, he reviewed the latest updates to the Laws of the Game and developments in refereeing, particularly the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology and its impact on decision-making.
In his remarks, the speaker emphasized that “refereeing has become more complex due to the game’s evolution and speed, and today’s referees are required not only to master the laws but also to possess sharp instincts, high physical fitness, and the ability to make split-second decisions.”
The lecture witnessed strong engagement from the audience, with several questions raised regarding controversial cases from recent seasons and ways to improve the performance of local referees through training camps and international exposure.
At the conclusion of the lecture, the organizers stressed the importance of such events in enhancing refereeing awareness and building mutual understanding between referees and the public.
This activity aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, by promoting knowledge and critical thinking among students; Goal 5: Gender Equality, through the inclusive participation of both male and female students; Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by fostering transparency and fairness in sports; and Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through collaboration with national sports institutions.
