Dahan Beydou, the Mauritanian referee of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast, addressed the reality of referees being influenced by the presence of stars on the field.
In an interview with “Al Match,” hosted by the renowned journalist Hani Hathout on the Echo Al Balad channel, Beydou stated, “There is a difference between officiating a group stage match and knockout rounds.”
Beydou continued, “Each match has its own dynamics. In the group stages, teams are cautious, and so are the referees.
However, in knockout matches, if a team falls behind, there is a surge from the players to compensate for the result.”
Responding to whether the presence of stars like Mohamed Salah and Haaland affects refereeing decisions, Beydou asserted, “We officiate a match with 11 players against 11 players.”
“All players on the field are equal in the eyes of the referees, and the presence of any star does not impose pressure on the refereeing teams,” Beydou emphasized.
Beydou: Equality Among All Players on the Field
Beydou concluded, “I see a bright future for African refereeing in the upcoming period, and things will definitely improve.
Soon, there will be an African referee officiating the final of the World Cup.
This is my ambition and the ambition of any referee around the world.”
The remarks by Beydou shed light on the professionalism and impartiality upheld by referees despite the presence of renowned players, underscoring the commitment to fair play and integrity in football officiating.
As African refereeing continues to evolve, aspirations for global recognition remain high, with the ambition to see African referees officiate at the pinnacle of football tournaments.
