Mehdi Difallah
French basketball referee (born 1984)
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Mehdi Difallah (born 15 June 1984) is a French amateur basketball referee,.[1] who began officiating in France’s top domestic league, the LNB Pro A, in 2011[2] and was promoted to the FIBA international referees list in 2014.[2] In 2017, he joined the EuroLeague officiating roster,[3] and has since officiated numerous high-profile games.[4]
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Difallah in 2018 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 15, 1984 France |
| Nationality | French |
| Position | Referee |
| Officiating career | 2011–present |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Career
Difallah made his professional refereeing debut in the LNB Pro A during the 2011–12 season.[2] His consistent performances led to his nomination to the FIBA panel in 2014, allowing him to officiate in international tournaments, including FIBA World Cup qualifiers and youth championships.[2]
In 2017, he was added to the EuroLeague referee pool,[3] and he has since officiated several playoff and Final Four fixtures. In the summer of 2023, he has also officiated some NBA Summer League games, held in the USA.[5][6][7]
In 2024, Difallah was selected among eight referees for the 2024 EuroLeague Final Four,[8][9] held in Berlin[10] and officiated in the Final Game between Real Madrid and Panathinaikos.[11]
In 2025, he was again selected for the Euroleague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, marking his sixth straight appearance.[12][13] In addition, Difallah officiated the 2025 EuroLeague semifinal game, between Fenerbahçe and Panathinaikos, bridging his personal milestones with those of his French referee predecessors like Yvan Mainini and Pascal Dorizon.[14]
Recognition
In overall, Difallah has been named Best Referee (Betclic ÉLITE) in 2018, 2022, and again for the 2024–25 season.[15][16][17]
The 2024–25 season further saw him reclaim that prestigious award, showcasing a remarkable French record including 10 Pro A finals since 2014, 3 French Cup finals, and 3 LNB All-Star Game appearances.[18]