February 1 – The fall out following Iraq’s controversial exit from the Asian Cup has continued with more than 800,000 people singing a petition on Change.org demanding that match referee Alireza Faghani be suspended.
Jordan beat 10-man Iraq 3-2 in the round of 16 with two goals in added time.
In the 76th minute striker Aymen Hussein had put Iraq in front before running to the corner flag and mimicking the Jordanian goal celebration of earlier in the match. Faghani gave Hussein a second yellow card, removing him from the remainder of the game.
The petition against the perceived injustice was actually launched before the match ended two days ago.
It was a card that confused most observers with critics saying the decision was inconsistent with other decisions in the match. It was certainly a game changing decision.
Iraqi coach Jesus Casas, who was himself accosted after the game in the press room by furious Iraqi journalists, said: “In any major tournament players always celebrate scoring. The referee cannot give a red card for this. We all saw Jordan celebrating the same way and no card was given. The timing of the red card prevented us from making defensive substitutions as we had already made changes.”
Following the match Faghani, who was born in Iran but officiates as part of Football Australia’s delegation, has received a torrent of social media abuse.
Football Australia issued a statement saying that they abhorred the abuse and that they were taking steps to protect and support their official.
Faghani is one of Asia’s most decorated referees and officiated the opening match between hosts Qatar and Lebanon in the Lusail Stadium.
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