The international referee, Mohamed Adel, sanctioned the penalty during the first half after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), with Percy Tau eventually failing to convert the opportunity.
In an exclusive statement to “Al-Masry Al-Youm,” refereeing expert Mohamed Salah Abdel Fattah shed light on the decision-making process, asserting the validity of the penalty call.
Abdel Fattah explained that, at the moment of the infraction, Mohamed Adel’s focus was on the active area (the region where the ball was in play), and therefore, he did not observe the ball’s trajectory adequately.
Commenting further on the incident, Abdel Fattah highlighted the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee, stating, “VAR official Salim correctly summoned Adel for a review, and indeed, the penalty was awarded.”
The match between Mali and South Africa unfolded as part of the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations 2023, eliciting a mix of excitement and controversy.
The utilization of VAR technology played a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy of critical decisions, underlining its significance in modern football officiating.
