• This officiating crew features names that regularly appear in the AFC Champions League and World Cup qualifiers.

As the countdown begins to the “summit clash” between Al-Faisaly and Al-Wehdat next Saturday in Round 14 of the Pro League, the referees’ committee of the Jordan Football Association has settled the debate over the match official by assigning international referee Adham Makhadmeh to oversee the high-stakes encounter.

The committee did not stop at appointing Makhadmeh alone, but surrounded him with a highly experienced and competent crew to ensure the match proceeds safely from both a technical and refereeing standpoint.

The assisting team includes Mohammed Al-Khalaf and Hamza Saadeh as assistant referees, Ahmad Yaqoub as fourth official, and Amr Ajaj as additional referee.

Why Adham Makhadmeh? Selecting Makhadmeh for this showdown is seen as a logical and strategic choice. Ranked among Asia’s elite referees, he possesses an extensive record in handling major Jordanian “derby” matches.

This appointment comes as the Jordanian league reaches peak excitement, with the match result likely to shape the title race significantly. Makhadmeh is known for his strong personality and ability to control players’ emotions in high-pressure, crowd-intense fixtures—qualities essential for the heightened sensitivity surrounding the three points at stake.

Whistle under pressure in the “match of the season” Makhadmeh and his crew understand that attention will not focus solely on the players; their decisions will be under scrutiny from the opening minute.

The match unfolds under exceptional circumstances: Al-Faisaly seeks to cement its lead (30 points), while Al-Wehdat fights to close the gap (24 points). Any refereeing call—whether a penalty decision or a red card—will carry wide repercussions and directly influence the title race, placing the officiating team in a true test of integrity, alertness, and physical and mental readiness.

Association’s message: confidence in the local referee Assigning a fully local officiating crew sends a renewed message of trust from the Jordan Football Association in the competence of Jordanian referees and their ability to manage the biggest continental and domestic stages without the need for foreign officials—especially as this crew includes names regularly present in the AFC Champions League and World Cup qualifiers.

With preparations complete, the key question remains: will Adham Makhadmeh and his colleagues guide the match safely to shore and reinforce the image of the Jordanian referee as a defining mark in Clasico history?

The answer will be written by the whistle on Saturday night.