Mansoura hit with points deduction and suspensions after walking off against Pharco

The Egyptian Football Association has punished Al Mansoura after the club withdrew from its Professional League match against Pharco in protest at refereeing decisions.

Al Mansoura have been recorded as losing the match 2-0, while a further three points will be deducted from their league total in addition to the points lost for the defeat.

The club have also been fined 40,000 Egyptian pounds, equivalent to twice the competition registration fee. A report will be submitted to the Egyptian Football Association board so that it can decide what action, if any, should be taken against Al Mansoura’s president.

A separate fine of 10,000 Egyptian pounds has been imposed after people associated with the club were found to have collectively insulted the match officials.

The disciplinary measures also include one-match suspensions for Al Mansoura officials Yasser Abdel Wahid and Hisham Samir. Abdel Wahid, the club’s director of player affairs, was suspended because of his dismissal, while Samir, the club’s director of football, received the same punishment after being sent off.

The match was halted late in the second half, with Pharco leading 1-0 when referee Abdel Aziz El Sayed awarded seven minutes of added time.

Al Mansoura increased the pressure as they looked for an equaliser, and the coaching staff and players appealed for one of their attacks to be awarded as a goal after believing the ball may have crossed the line.

The referee decided that play should continue, however, and Pharco then scored a second goal through Mohamed Abdel Latif, known as Grendo.

Following that goal, Al Mansoura’s players left the pitch. El Sayed waited until the scheduled playing time had elapsed before ending the match because Al Mansoura did not return to complete it.

The Egyptian Football Association subsequently confirmed the full list of sanctions, including the 2-0 result, the additional three-point deduction and the financial penalties.

The decision means Al Mansoura are punished both for the outcome of the fixture and for failing to finish the match. Their officials have also been sanctioned, while the matter involving the club president has been referred to the association’s board for further consideration.

The Professional League fixture had been progressing towards a Pharco victory before the late dispute over the alleged goal-line incident changed the course of the game. Al Mansoura’s reaction led directly to the players leaving the field and the match being terminated after the referee had allowed the full allotted time to pass.