Syrian FIFA referee restarts career in Paraná state football after officiating global stars.
A referee with FIFA credentials and international experience in high-level matches, including clashes with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Iniesta, is now bringing his talent to the Paraná state football scene.
Syrian Hanna Hattab, 37, chose Brazil, specifically the state of Paraná, to continue his refereeing career, demonstrating the universality and connecting power of the sport.
Since 2022, Hanna Hattab has resided in São José dos Pinhais, in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, with his family. His passion for refereeing emerged two decades ago, after an unsuccessful attempt to become a player.
His path to professional refereeing was solidified in 2011, with participation in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) training program, culminating in him earning his FIFA badge in 2015.
Asian Trajectory and Brazilian Inspiration
Hanna Hattab‘s resume is remarkable, featuring stints in prestigious competitions such as the AFC Champions League, the AFC Asian Cup, and the qualifiers for the 2018, 2022, and 2026 World Cups.
An interesting fact in his story is his initial inspiration by Brazil, which came through the popular anime Captain Tsubasa, leading him to choose the country as his permanent home, with plans to formally settle by the end of 2024.
Hanna Hattab stated:
Football breaks barriers.
He confirmed that his move was not driven by conflicts in his home country, Syria, where he continues to collaborate with the local federation. His adaptation to Brazilian football has been gradual but promising.
Debut and Future Vision in Paraná
With his vast experience, Hanna Hattab received his first opportunities with the Paraná Football Federation (FPF) this year. His professional match debut occurred in mid-August, in a game between Hope Internacional and Iguaçu.
Recently, he was in charge of officiating a state classic, refereeing the match between Athletico and Paraná Clube, which marked the opening of the Copa Paraná.
Despite having officiated games with international stars present, Hattab emphasizes that his approach is the same for all athletes on the field. He declared:
There is no distinction between players.
His Brazilian culinary tastes include churrasco (barbecue) and pastel (a type of fried pastry), and his future plans are ambitious: he hopes his son can wear the Brazil national team jersey, and he himself aspires to referee a World Cup final.
Currently, his focus is on gaining the confidence of the CBF to officiate in the main national tournaments. The arrival of a referee with the caliber of Hanna Hattab to Paraná state football not only enriches the quality of local refereeing but also reinforces the sport’s ability to integrate global talents.
M360 Team
