Tunisia boss slams referee’s ‘inexplicable’ decision
Mondher Kebaier criticizes referee’s strange decision in Tunisia AFCON clash against Mali.
The highlight of the match, however, was when the referee
Janny Sikazwe
blew the full-time whistle in the 85th minute of the game.
Sikazwe then realized his error and resumed the game for four more minute, during which he sent off Mali forward
El Bilal, before blowing for full time again, this time with 13 seconds to go. This strange decision was strongly protested by Tunisian players and staff.
More interestingly, after about 40 minutes, the two teams were supposed to return to the field to resume the match from where they left off, and although Mali’s players returned to the pitch, Tunisians refused to do the same and the match was concluded in a 1-0 result.
Reflecting on referee’s bizarre decisions, Tunisia boss Mondher Kebaier said:
"It's a difficult situation to deal with.
"The referee also blew with five minutes left in the first half.
"Then he blew after 89 minutes in the second, denying us practically seven or eight minutes of added time.
"His decision is inexplicable. I can't understand how he made his decision and we will see what happens now."
He added:
"He blew for full-time and asked us to go to the dressing room. The players were in their ice baths when asked to come out.
"In 30 years in this business I have never seen anything like it."
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