Mahmoud El-Banna, the international referee, has addressed his removal from officiating duties in the Africa Cup of Nations, shedding light on the quality of Egyptian refereeing both domestically and internationally.
In a telephone conversation with presenter Hani Hathout on the “Al-Match” program aired on “Sada El-Balad” channel, El-Banna emphasized that there is no discernible difference in the level of officiating, including the errors committed by referees.
El-Banna highlighted that the standard of refereeing displayed abroad remains consistent with domestic matches in Egypt.
He elucidated that the reception abroad is generally positive, with audiences appreciating and supporting their compatriots’ efforts, even in the face of mistakes, contrasting with local matches where allegiances often cloud judgment.
Regarding criticism and attacks directed towards him, El-Banna stated that he refrains from responding publicly due to regulations prohibiting such actions.
He also expressed his preference for minimal media exposure, emphasizing the lack of a robust defense mechanism for referees.
The Egyptian referee further noted that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) placing confidence in Egyptian referees by assigning them to officiate entire matches underscores their high caliber.
He cited the appointment of Egyptian officiating crews in the tournament’s opening matches as evidence of their competence.
El-Banna advocated for the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, which was notably absent in the Egyptian Premier League but present at the Africa Cup of Nations.
He highlighted the reduction in the number of referees from the round of 16 onwards, expressing his surprise at the singular focus on his exclusion from the tournament.
In conclusion, El-Banna addressed his exclusion, emphasizing that it was not due to an error as rumored.
He expressed bewilderment at comments attributed to a football association official suggesting otherwise, advising them to focus solely on their duties.
