Zamalek Challenges Appointment of Tunisian Officials for VAR Duties

Wednesday 08 May 2024 - 17:36

In a move that threatens to reignite controversy ahead of the highly anticipated CAF Cup final, Zamalek SC has lodged an official objection with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), vehemently opposing the appointment of Tunisian officials to oversee the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) operations during their clash against Renaissance Sportive de Berkane.

The contentious issue of officiating has taken center stage even before the first whistle is blown. In a stern communiqué, the Egyptian club revealed that they have sent a letter to CAF expressing their vehement disagreement with the nomination of Tunisian referees to handle VAR duties for the competition's final, scheduled for Sunday, May 12th.

Zamalek has vociferously criticized the presence of Tunisian officials overseeing the VAR system, citing an apparent conflict of interest, as the coach of Renaissance Sportive de Berkane, Mouine Chaabani, is of Tunisian nationality.

"Zamalek's management has sent an official objection to CAF regarding the appointment of referees for VAR technology, whether as primary referees or as part of the VAR technology team, for both matches against Renaissance de Berkane," the statement reads.

"Zamalek's objection included the necessity for CAF to review the selection of referees for VAR technology in the home and away matches, in order to dispel any suspicions surrounding Tunisian referees," the statement continues.

The statement further asserts, "Zamalek confirms that it has always commended the integrity of African refereeing, which is an active partner in the success of tournaments organized by CAF, and appreciates its essential role in the development plan for football in Africa."

Indeed, CAF's Referees Committee has appointed Kenyan Peter Waweru Kamaku as the center referee for the first leg in Berkane. He will be assisted by his compatriots Gilbert Cheruiyot and Stephen Elezar Onyango, while the fourth official will be Burundian Pacific Ndabihawenimana.

For the return leg in Cairo, the officiating duties will be handled by Senegalese referee Issa Sy, who will be aided by his fellow countrymen Gabriel Camara and Nouha Bangoura, with Somali Abdulkadir Artan serving as the fourth official. Gabonese Pierre Atcho will be in charge of VAR operations, assisted by Maria Rivet from Mauritius and Khalil Hassani from Tunisia.

As the countdown to the CAF Cup final intensifies, Zamalek's objection has thrust the issue of officiating into the limelight, reigniting debates over impartiality and fairness. While CAF's response to this objection remains to be seen, the stage is set for a highly charged encounter, where the scrutiny on officials promises to be as intense as the action on the pitch.