The Refereeing Directorate has shed light on the circumstances surrounding Wydad Athletic Club’s denial of a penalty kick during their match against Maghreb Fes on Thursday, a fixture postponed from round 12 of the Professional League.
In this regard, Boucheaib Lahras, a member of the Refereeing Directorate, stated, “There was indeed a free-kick for Wydad, during which the striker, Sambo, was in an offside position.”
He added, “When the ball was played, the striker took advantage of his position, played the ball, and contested it with one of the Maghreb Fes players, who fell to the ground before the ball touched his hand.”
Lahras continued, “The protocol obliges the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room to review the situation due to the collision, which revealed a handball by the Maghreb Fes player after his incidental fall.”
He elaborated, saying, “However, FIFA’s regulations and recommendations do not consider this handball as an offense, and a penalty kick is not awarded.
Additionally, the Maghreb Fes player tried to move his hand away.”
The clarification from the Refereeing Directorate comes in response to the controversy surrounding the denied penalty, offering insights into the decision-making process based on football regulations and protocols.
This revelation seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the incident, aligning with FIFA guidelines, and emphasizes the importance of adhering to the rules governing such situations in professional football.
