June 17 – A six-month ban meted out to Egypt’s top referee Gehad Grisha has been overturned amid the ongoing chaos and inconsistency within Africa’s football administration.
Grisha was suspended by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for poor officiating in the first leg of the Continent’s showpiece Champions League final between Morocco’s Wyded of Casablanca and Esperance de Tunis.
Grisha dished out four yellow cards in the opening 45 minutes, then twice went to VAR, first time to rule out a goal for the hosts due to a handball, then failing to award Wydad a penalty. Wydad’s other main complaint was a red card shown to midfielder Ibrahim Nakach after he picked up two yellows in only five minutes.
This led the Moroccans to lodge a complaint to CAF who decided that Grisha, who officiated in the 2018 World Cup, should be suspended for six months.
But he is now in the clear to officiate at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) scheduled to commence in his homeland on June 21.
“Egyptian Football Association refereeing chief Essam Abdel-Fattah said the appeal against Grisha’s suspension has been accepted by CAF. Accordingly, the suspension has been lifted,” the Egyptian FA said in a statement.
Fattah had reportedly backed Grisha’s officiating saying he “had a very good match and he did not make any mistakes.”
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