Egyptian FA orders replay after ‘mobile VAR’ controversy

The Egyptian FA’s Competitions Committee has issued its final ruling on the bizarre “mobile VAR” incident that shook a recent second-division match between Tanta and Egyptian Telecommunications.

The game, which ended 1–1, went viral after match officials appeared to use a mobile phone to review a possible penalty, sparking widespread mockery on social media and questions over refereeing standards.

After studying the referee’s report and all surrounding events, the committee decided the fixture must be replayed. In its statement, the EFA confirmed the rematch will take place on Tuesday, 21 April, on Tanta’s home pitch, and stressed the decision was made “to apply the regulations and uphold the principle of equal opportunity” between the two clubs.

The ruling also included a series of disciplinary sanctions. Egyptian Telecommunications goalkeeping coach Ayman Hussein Mohamed has been suspended for two matches and fined 2,000 Egyptian pounds for his inappropriate protests.

The club itself was fined 20,000 pounds: 10,000 for the technical and administrative staff storming the pitch to confront the referee, and another 10,000 for incitement to withdraw. Tanta received an identical 20,000-pound fine for the same collective dissent and threats to abandon the match, with all standard cards and suspensions remaining valid for the replay.