Taleb Ballan


Taleb Ballan, is a former Qatari FIFA football referee, he holds the record with the most Emir Cup finals participated in by a referee.

Playing career

Ballan played for Al-Esteqlal, and also guided them to the 1973/74 Emir Cup title.

Refereeing career

Ballan would go on to officiate matches as a referee after retiring from professional football.
In 1976, Ballan was selected to be one of the match officials alongside fellow referee Mubarak Waleed, for the 1976 Gulf Cup held in Doha, Qatar. In the tournament, he supervised only one match, which was Kuwait against Oman which resulted in a 8–0 win for Kuwait.
Ballan would also supervise several matches in the Qatari League during the 1980s, he also holds the record for being the referee who has supervised the most Emir Cup finals. With him participating in four Emir Cup finals.

Post-retirement

Ballan would go on to serve as the head of the referee committee.

Personal life

Ballan's brother Khaled Ballan represented the Qatar national team during the early 1970s. His son Hani Ballan was also became a referee from 1998–2004. He also became the chief executive officer of the highest tier of professional football league in Qatar.

Honours

Player

  • Emir Cup
  • * Champions : 1973–74