CAF Suspends Egyptian Referee Gehad Grisha for Six Months After Champions League Final Controversy
Egyptian referee Gehad Grisha, who officiated the first leg of the 2018–2019 CAF Champions League final between Wydad Casablanca and Espérance de Tunis last Saturday, has been suspended for six months due to a “poor performance,” the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday. The first-leg match, played in Rabat, ended in a 1-1 draw.
The suspension prevents Grisha from officiating at this summer’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. CAF cited his handling of the match as unsatisfactory, particularly following contentious decisions that saw Wydad denied a legitimate goal in the 46th minute and a penalty in the 56th.
Grisha, an international referee since 2008 and a participant in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, expressed astonishment and disappointment over the sanction. Speaking publicly, he indicated that he had received praise and encouragement from members of the CAF Referees Committee immediately after the first leg. He suggested that external interference within the committee influenced the decision to suspend him.
The Moroccan Royal Football Federation (FRMF) had formally criticized Grisha’s performance in a letter to CAF, highlighting the controversial calls that negatively affected Wydad. Said Naciri, president of Wydad Casablanca, also publicly expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the referee’s decisions had undermined his team’s chances in a crucial continental final.
Grisha’s suspension underscores the ongoing scrutiny of refereeing standards in African football. While VAR technology has been introduced to reduce errors in high-stakes matches, controversial decisions remain a focal point, particularly in finals where millions of dollars and national pride are at stake.
The second leg of the Champions League final is set to take place this Friday, May 31, at the Radès Stadium in Tunisia. CAF has appointed Gambian referee Bakary Gassama to oversee the decisive match, assisted by Senegalese officials Djibril Camara and El Hadji Malik Samb, with Zambian Janny Sikazwe heading the VAR team.
For Grisha, the suspension represents a major professional setback. The Egyptian referee will now be sidelined from African football for half a year, missing out on one of the continent’s most prestigious tournaments and further examination of his international career.
