The whistle of the American referee of Moroccan origin, Ismail Al-Fateh, sets the final whistle for the President’s Cup, which brings together Al-Wasl and Al-Nasr this evening at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in a match that is expected to require a lot of effort, focus and decisiveness from the referee in order to bring the match to safety.
Ismail the Conqueror had left his city, Casablanca, in pursuit of the American dream at the age of eighteen, and he did not think at the time that he would rise in the field of sports to become one of the best referees in the American Football League.
According to a press report published by the Moroccan newspaper Al-Muntabak, thanks to the permanent residency card “Green Card” that he obtained, Ismail Al-Fath arrived in the United States in 2001, and he had only $200 in his possession, but his dreams were sky-high.
Al-Fateh settled in Austin (Texas), and found a hot climate similar to the one he experienced in his country, Morocco. In the year 2006, the native of Casablanca obtained a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas, and was thus able to work in computer sales.
Ismail, who is passionate about football, began his career by refereeing youth and amateur matches, before rising to become, in 2009, a referee in the American Football League.
Al-Fateh, who has reached his fourth decade and is a father of three children, is considered one of the best referees in the American Football League. He participated in managing the FIFA World Cup matches in Qatar, becoming the eighth American to be chosen as a referee in the history of this competition.
Ismail Al-Fatih does not intend to stop there. Rather, he hopes to officiate more matches during this World Cup, and why not choose him again to manage the next World Cup, which will be held in 2026 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, including the matches that will be held in Houston and Dallas. .
It is noteworthy that referee Ismail Al-Fateh is assisted in managing today’s match by Corey Parker (first assistant), Kyle Atkins (second assistant), Rawda Al-Mansouri (fourth official), Adonai Squiedo (video referee), Kholoud Al-Zaabi (video assistant referee), and Yousef Al Jasmi. Fifth reserve referee.
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