Al Hilal files complaint at CAF against South African referee Abongile Tom over biased officiating

Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman have lodged a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the refereeing of South African official Abongile Tom during their first leg game against Moroccan side RS Berkane in the Confederation Cup.

The club claims that several contentious decisions by the referee significantly influenced the outcome of the match.

In their letter to CAF, Al Hilal detailed a series of incidents they say demonstrated biased officiating.

The club highlighted that four of their players were shown yellow cards under questionable circumstances, while defender Ebuela was controversially sent off with a red card.

In addition, Al Hilal raised concerns over a penalty awarded to RS Berkane in the final moments of the game, a decision they argue directly impacted the final result.

To support their claims, the Sudanese club has included video footage of the key incidents in their submission.

Al Hilal emphasized that their intention is not only to seek justice for the match in question but also to call for stricter oversight and fairness in officiating in CAF competitions.

The complaint now awaits a formal response from the continental governing body, which could lead to an investigation into the referee’s conduct and potential disciplinary measures.

Meanwhile, Al Hilal will host RS Berkane in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinal games.