The Malta FA is proud to celebrate a historic moment for Maltese refereeing: Ishmael Barbara has been officially promoted to the UEFA First Category, marking Malta’s return to this prestigious level after a seven-year absence. This achievement reflects years of dedication, professionalism, and excellence from Barbara, and stands as a testament to the strength and progress of Maltese Refereeing.

Barbara’s promotion is a result to his unwavering dedication, hard work and consistent performances at both domestic and international level. This achievement also highlights the trust UEFA places in the Maltese Refereeing Sector, which in recent years has implemented a clear vision and strategy aimed at raising standards and strengthening Malta’s footprint in European football.

Reaching such a prestigious level at the young age of 32, Barbara has an exceptional future ahead of him. As a UEFA First Category Match Official, he will now be eligible for more and wider range of high-profile UEFA assignments, including group-stage fixtures across all UEFA competitions as well as national-team matches.

This milestone represents significant progress for the ongoing evolution and development of refereeing in Malta. It reflects the collective efforts of all members within the refereeing community who continue working to elevate Maltese officiating to higher levels.

The Malta FA extends its warmest and most heartfelt congratulations to Ishmael Barbara on this remarkable achievement. The Association looks forward with great anticipation to seeing him represent Malta with pride, professionalism, and distinction across Europe’s top competitions.