Egypt: Referee Mohamed Abbas Mayo suspended over failure to adhere to VAR instructions in Ceramica Cleopatra vs. Ismaily clash

Referee Mohamed Abbas Mayo has come under scrutiny following his handling of last Tuesday’s Premier League clash between Ceramica Cleopatra and Ismaily, part of the tournament’s 19th round.

The controversy centers on a penalty he awarded to the home side during stoppage time.

In the closing moments, South African forward Fakhri Lakay struck a shot that struck an Ismaily defender’s hand before entering the net.

Despite the apparent goal, Mayo ruled it a handball and awarded a penalty. A source close to the league revealed that Mayo did not acknowledge any error in his official match report.

According to Article 46, Clause 10 of the Premier League regulations, if a referee admits within 48 hours to having misapplied the Laws of Football—and the mistake influenced the match result—the match must be replayed under the decision of the Competitions Department.

Because Mayo failed to recognize the error, the 1-1 draw between Ceramica and Ismaily stands, and the game will not be replayed.

The source added that the referee’s suspension followed evidence showing that both the Video Assistant Referee and an assistant referee had informed him that Ceramica’s goal was valid, but he chose to uphold the penalty decision.

The awarded penalty, converted by Lakay, effectively cost Ismaily two points, leaving the match tied at 1-1.