Algerian commentator Hafid Derradji has renewed his fears that poor refereeing could spoil the closing stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, currently being held in Morocco.
In a post on his X account on Tuesday, he said that all the possible finals, Morocco against Egypt, Nigeria against Senegal, Egypt against Nigeria or Morocco against Senegal, would be “exceptional” but remain under threat if officiating standards do not improve.
Derradji has been a constant critic of tournament organisation and refereeing, previously sparking controversy with comments about ticketing for Algeria’s games and what he described as negative aspects around the competition. He again attacked the officials after Algeria’s quarter-final defeat to Nigeria, insisting the referee helped push his country out.
He wrote: “Nigeria and the referee 2, Algeria 0. Nigeria were stronger than Algeria and deserved to win, but they did not need a referee who provoked the Algerian players, took them out of the match from the start and showed them six yellow cards.”
He added that Algeria’s players and coach Vladimir Petkovic “knew they were forbidden” from reaching the semi-finals.
