Three Tunisian referees retained for CAF knockout rounds

Three Tunisian match officials have been selected by the Confederation of African Football to take part in preparations for the quarter-finals of the continent’s two major club competitions.

The appointments concern the upcoming last-eight fixtures in both the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, as confirmed by Confederation of African Football.

Central referee Mehrez Melki, assistant referee Khalil Hassani and video assistant referee Haythem Guirat have all been retained for the preparatory phase ahead of the decisive ties.

Their inclusion means they could officiate during the quarter-final matches, subject to final appointments.

The selection highlights Tunisia’s continued representation among match officials at the latter stages of African club competitions.

The Champions League and Confederation Cup quarter-finals mark a critical point in the calendar, with leading clubs from across the continent competing for a place in the semi-finals.

Referees chosen for these stages are typically drawn from a pool of experienced officials entrusted with managing high-pressure fixtures.

Melki is listed as the central referee, while Hassani will operate as an assistant referee.

Guirat has been selected in the role of VAR referee, reflecting the continued integration of video technology in CAF competitions.

The confirmation of the trio’s selection underlines their standing within African football’s refereeing structure.

Final assignments for individual matches are expected to determine whether they take charge of specific quarter-final encounters.

For Tunisia, the announcement represents notable recognition at a key stage of both tournaments, with the country’s officials positioned to play a role in the outcome of two of Africa’s most prestigious club competitions.