Al Masry demand CAF probe over “incomprehensible” officiating in Confederation Cup clash

Egyptian side Al Masry SC have formally called on the Confederation of African Football to launch a full-scale investigation into controversial refereeing decisions that marred their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final encounter against CR Belouizdad.

The highly-competitive second leg clash, held in Algeria ended in a pulsating goalless, with CR Belouizdad progressing to the semifinals on an away goal rule.

The club’s request follows a series of officiating calls they described as “incomprehensible” and potentially decisive in determining the outcome of the high-stakes fixture. At the heart of the protest is a demand for transparency, particularly regarding communication between the match officials.

Al Masry have specifically asked CAF to grant access to the audio exchanges between Zimbabwean referee Chimene and Video Assistant Referee Daniel Laryea, whose interventions, or lack thereof, have come under intense scrutiny.

The Egyptian club believes that key decisions during the match may not have been handled appropriately, raising serious concerns about the use and effectiveness of VAR technology in such a crucial continental fixture.

Besides, Al Masry also questioned a contentious disciplinary incident involving CR Belouizdad player Djaber Kaassis. According to the club, Kaassis received two yellow cards during the match but was not sent off, a situation that has further fueled outrage and confusion.

The club insists that such an apparent oversight undermines the integrity of the competition and has called for clear and detailed explanations from CAF regarding the incident.

With tensions rising, Al Masry are pushing for accountability and clarity, hoping that CAF’s investigation will provide answers and reinforce confidence in officiating standards across African competitions.

The outcome of this request could have broader implications, not only for the match in question but also for how refereeing controversies are handled in CAF tournaments moving forward.