Egypt: Referees’ Committee blames VAR angle for Al Ahly-Ceramica controversy

The controversy surrounding the Egyptian Premier League clash between Al Ahly and Ceramica Cleopatra has taken a new turn, with the referees’ committee reportedly identifying the source of the dispute following the heated penalty appeal late in the game.

The match, played at Osman Ahmed Osman Stadium, ended in a 1-1 draw but was overshadowed by a stoppage-time incident that saw Al Ahly players strongly appeal for a penalty, alleging a handball by Ceramica’s Ahmed Hany.

Referee Mahmoud Wafa, however, waved play on after consulting the Video Assistant Referee system, a decision that immediately sparked debate.

Fresh insight into the incident has now emerged through Egyptian journalist Ahmed Abdel Basset, who disclosed details from internal discussions within the referees’ committee.

According to him, the controversy stemmed largely from the angle initially presented during the VAR review.

Abdel Basset stated, “My information is from the heart of the referees committee,” adding, “What I am conveying is exactly what happened via the WhatsApp group of the main referees committee led by Oscar Ruiz.”

He explained that the committee unanimously agreed the initial replay shown by VAR official Mahmoud Ashour came from a rear camera angle, which could easily give the impression of a handball offence to viewers.

However, the situation shifted when the on-field referee requested a different perspective.

He continued, “The decision and analysis of the referees committee, with the unanimous agreement of its 9 members, regarding the Al-Ahly and Ceramica match: The committee unanimously agreed that Mahmoud Ashour, the VAR referee, presented the situation from the rear camera, which would make any ordinary fan see it as a penalty kick.”

According to the report, Wafa then asked for the “offside” angle, positioned behind the assistant referee high in the stands, and instructed that the footage be zoomed in. This alternative view reportedly showed a clearer picture of the incident.

Abdel Basset added, “The referee, Mahmoud Wafa, requested the “offside” angle, where the camera is fixed behind the assistant referee at the top of the stands, and asked Ashour to zoom in on the play.

When the referee saw this angle, he found that the distance between the player’s body and his hand warranted continuing the game and there was no penalty kick.”

The committee further supported its position by referencing similar cases aligned with FIFA guidelines, including a comparable situation in a women’s football match at the Paris Olympics between France and Colombia, where play was allowed to continue.

Abdel Basset concluded, “The committee presented many similar cases in which FIFA adopted this ball (play on), meaning to continue the game, and the most prominent case that was presented was in a women’s football match at the Paris Olympics between France and Colombia.”

He concluded, “The committee saw that Mahmoud Wafa’s decision was 100% correct and that Mahmoud Ashour was the one at fault.”