SAFF GS defutes ‘bias claims’, warns coaches over refereeing row

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) will investigate allegations of refereeing bias and misconduct raised by the head coaches of Sri Lanka and Maldives during the ongoing SAFF Championship 2026, with General Secretary Purushottam Kattel stating the matter will be handled through their internal disciplinary process.

The controversy erupted on Sunday, with Sri Lanka coach Abdullah Al Mutairi and Maldives coach Istvan Urbanyi individually expressing deep frustration over refereeing decisions. 

Both questioned the standard of match officiating, while Urbanyi also criticized the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology during the group stage.

However, the SAFF General Secretary rejected claims of bias, emphasizing that the federation would evaluate the coaches' comments through its disciplinary mechanism.

"I also saw the record, and it doesn't make sense to me. How do we influence the referees? Do we speak with them or tell them what to do? Is there any evidence that we are telling them?,” Purushottam Kattel told the Daily Sun.

“That is also not respecting the other member associations, particularly the way the coach spoke about Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh," he further added. 

Purushottam reiterated that the complaints would be handled through SAFF's internal disciplinary process. Also, he made it clear that any decision regarding possible sanctions against the coaches rests beyond his personal authority.

“It's not my decision. The disciplinary committee will decide. We, as an administration, cannot make that decision,” he said.

Defending SAFF's decision not to introduce VAR during the group stage, Purushottam cited technical complications and financial constraints, explaining that VAR Lite—a simplified version of the technology—costs around USD 10,000 per match.

SAFF will introduce VAR from the semifinals onward, a move Purushottam described as a first for South Asian football.

"This will be the first time in South Asia. We are introducing at least something. People should appreciate that rather than criticize us for not having VAR from the very beginning," he added.

In an effort to ensure neutrality, SAFF appointed match officials from across Asia rather than relying exclusively on South Asian referees. 

The four head referees selected for the championship hail from Vietnam, Oman, Singapore and Indonesia.

The assistant referees represent Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Laos while officials from Vietnam and Indonesia are serving as fourth officials. 

Thailand's Preecha Kangram is acting as referee assessor.

Despite bringing in neutral officials from outside the region, questions have emerged over how SAFF evaluates performance and addresses potentially match-changing mistakes.

Purushottam, however, expressed complete confidence in the integrity of the appointed officials, arguing that refereeing complaints are a common fixture in global football.

"We completely believe in the integrity of the referees. It is only the coaches or teams who complain. These things happen everywhere, not only in SAFF competitions," he ended.