Sajad Al-Hakim

15 June 2025

Among the many (inter)national referees officiating at this year’s Marveld Tournament is 23-year-old Sajad Al-Hakim from Sweden. He was invited to officiate at this prestigious youth tournament through the development program Referee Abroad. With top teams like Real Madrid, Lille OSC, and Palmeiras participating, the tournament offers referees an excellent opportunity to gain high-level experience.

Football has played a central role in Sajad’s life from a young age. He started out as a player and coach but eventually chose—with full conviction—to pursue a career as a referee. Inspired by his older brother Mohammed, a top referee in Sweden, he now travels across Europe to further develop himself. This week, Groenlo serves as his learning environment. Midway through the tournament, we spoke with him about his experiences so far—both on and off the field.

We catch up with Sajad after the PSV – FC Twente/Heracles match (1-0), in which he served as referee. “Thank you for this,” he says—right at the start of the conversation, it’s clear that after just two days in the Achterhoek region, Sajad has already added a few Dutch words to his vocabulary. Asked about his first impressions of the tournament, Sajad begins to speak enthusiastically: “It’s fantastic here, everything is so professional. You always have just one match and then rest, so you don’t get tired easily. I even had to get used to the fact that this tournament has fourth officials.”

Even during the breaks, the young Swedish referee is well taken care of. “The organization around the matches is top-notch. A good breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Drinks and fruit are available everywhere, and you can even get a massage if you want,” says Sajad gratefully.

Although he only arrived in Groenlo a few days ago, the charm of the historic town has already made a deep impression on him. “For me, the atmosphere is the most important thing,” Sajad explains. “The people in Groenlo are so friendly. Everyone is open and relaxed. During the day, it’s professional and serious, but in the evening, there’s time for fun. So far, it’s been truly amazing—and the weather is great too.”

While the youth players at the Marveld Tournament are struggling with the high temperatures this weekend, for Sajad, it can’t be hot enough. “This weather is perfect. I’m from Sweden, where it’s almost always too cold. Of course, it’s a bit tougher for the players, so the intensity of the matches is a bit lower. But when the sun is shining, I’m a happier referee—and I’m also nicer to the players, haha.”

Development

Besides the enjoyment Sajad gets from officiating, he came to Groenlo with a clear goal: to improve himself as a referee. During the tournament, he is being mentored by former referee Raymond van Meenen. “Referees all have their own way of doing things, but you can learn something from everyone. You pick up a bit from one person, a bit from another, and that’s how you develop your own style. Raymond has already given me a lot of useful tips over the past few days,” Sajad explains.

Between his own matches, the young referee often walks around to watch other games—not only to observe top teams in action but also to see how fellow referees manage their matches. “I try to carefully observe other referees: their body language, movement on the field, the way they communicate.”

Sajad is well on his way to fulfilling his dream: becoming a professional referee. International top-level tournaments like the Marveld Tournament contribute significantly to that journey. “Refereeing at this level helps me a lot in my development. But it’s also important to just enjoy it and have fun—not only be serious and focused, but also live in the moment. When you’re having fun, everything becomes more enjoyable,” Sajad concludes.