Merlo Albano is officiating one of the biggest Asian football tournaments for women this year.
Albano got the chance to officiate the game after she was given authority by the Federation International de Football Association (FIFA), the governing body of international football to officiate international football games.
Merlo Albano along with 11 other Filipinos was permitted by FIFA to officiate FIFA sanctioned international games.
Albano, who is also a football coach is proud to be given such an honor because she is the only one from Mindanao who was given a license to be an international referee by FIFA.
The Philippine Football Federation officials for their part were happy with the license given to Filipino referees by FIFA.
PFF president Mariano Araneta congratulated all the Filipino referees and wished them all the best as they officiate local and international football matches.
"We congratulate the 12 referees and assistant referees who have been accepted to the FIFA Refereeing List of 2021," Araneta said on the official website of PFF. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)
Davaoena football referee Merlo Albano is a FIFA-certified international football referee. Photo: Merlo Albano FB page