On Friday, Etoile du Sahel formally lodged a protest against the selection of referees appointed for their upcoming Tunisian Ligue 1 match against rivals Espérance, scheduled for Sunday as part of the seventh round of the season.
In an official statement, Etoile du Sahel expressed concern regarding the decision to appoint referee Nidal Latif and assistant referee Ayman Ismail to officiate the game.
The club highlighted that Ayman Ismail is affiliated with the Tunisian League, to which Espérance also belongs, raising concerns about potential impartiality.
Etoile du Sahel’s statement also held Murad Al-Daami, head of the refereeing department at the Tunisian Football Federation, accountable for any perceived bias or errors in judgment that could impact the game’s outcome.
The club cautioned that any lack of impartiality would not only harm their competitive interests but could also have lasting consequences on the league’s integrity.
“The Etoile du Sahel management is committed to defending its rights and interests by all legitimate means,” read the club’s statement, reinforcing their resolve to ensure fairness in the high-stakes matchup.
Etoile du Sahel will face Espérance this Sunday in what promises to be a tightly contested battle between two of Tunisia’s top football clubs.
Which African countries have qualified for the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup? Jun 27, 2026
