African Cup of Nations: Ref ban over controversy

Published on 08/02/2013 00:00

Tunisian referee Slim Jdidi has been suspended in the wake of his contentious handling of Wednesday night’s African Nations Cup semi-final in Nelspruit.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) general secretary Hicham El Amrani yesterday revealed Jdidi has been sanctioned for a “period yet to be determined” in the wake of strong criticism.

Burkina Faso progressed to Sunday’s final against Nigeria with a 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over Ghana – but afterwards victorious coach Paul Put described Jdidi’s display as “scandalous”.

The west Africans have launched an appeal against the sending-off of star midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa for diving late in extra-time, when it appeared he had been tripped.

That was one of a number of incidents to have courted criticism, with a legitimate Prejuce Nakoulma goal in extra time ruled out while Ghana were also given a 
debatable penalty.

CAF will hear Pitroipa’s appeal today when Jdidi’s performance could also be further discussed.

“The CAF is not happy with the refereeing of the match,” said El Amrani.

“We know that they [the referees] can make mistakes but he would hope for a better level of officiating.

“The referees are graded in each performance and based on this grading the Tunisian referee is suspended for a period yet to be 
determined. There is a meeting on Friday.”

El Amrani also suggested that Pitroipa’s appeal was likely to fail unless Jdidi had owned up to his mistake in a written report immediately after the match.

The Rennes midfielder would therefore miss Burkina Faso’s first ever African Nations Cup final against favourites Nigeria in Johannesburg this weekend.

“The organising committee has no power to change an arbitral award,” he said. “If the referee has admitted a mistake in his report, the committee will consider and make a decision if necessary. But this report [the one made by the referee after the game] is final.”

Nigeria, led by Chelsea duo John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses, are looking to win their first African title since 1994, when they ruled the continent with players such as Finidi George, Jay-Jay Okocha and Emmanuel Amuneke.