Egypt FA suspends referees after using phone as VAR

The Egyptian Football Association has suspended the officiating team involved in the match between Tanta FC and Telecom Egypt SC following a controversial incident in the second division.

In an official statement, the federation confirmed that referee Abdel Aziz El-Sayed, along with assistants Walid Mamdouh and Shehab Rashed, and fourth official Hossam Hassan, have all been suspended from officiating duties across all competitions until further notice.

The decision follows an unusual and controversial moment during the game, where a mobile phone was reportedly used to review an incident and overturn a penalty decision initially awarded to Telecom Egypt. The move sparked confusion and disrupted the flow of the match.

The case has now been referred to the relevant authorities for a full investigation, with a final ruling expected in line with existing regulations.

The federation emphasised its commitment to transparency and strict adherence to the laws of the game.

The incident led to scenes of chaos on the pitch, as the match was halted for more than 20 minutes following the decision reversal. Players from both teams briefly withdrew in protest before play eventually resumed.

Despite the disruption, the match concluded in a 1-1 draw, though the events surrounding the fixture have since drawn widespread attention and raised serious questions about officiating standards in the competition.