The chief of the Egyptian Referees' Committee talks to Ahmed Morsy as allegations of favouritism abound Criticism of referees has never been robust in Egyptian football, but things may be changing now. Fans accuse referees of favouring one team or another on Internet message boards, but what makes the current saga special is that club officials and several renowned pundits are echoing the same claims. Mohamed Hossam, chief of the Egyptian Referees' Committee, is there to defend and support referees. So how does Hossam react to accusations against them? "We do our duties according to our conscience and God and consequently we respond with half an ear to such incessant criticism." After Ahli's controversial 2-1 victory over Enppi two weeks ago, Zamalek lambasted the "shameful, disgusting and disastrous refereeing" in a statement on their official website. And Zamalek is not the only team in the Egyptian league to feel conspired against. Enppi said that the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) should replay their league game against Ahli because the referee "was biased against them". For his part, Ahli coach Hossam El-Badri claimed a conspiracy against his team, while other managers threatened to quit the league in protest over refereeing. Managers' outrage at refereeing is not new, even at the highest levels in Europe, but extravagant reactions seem exclusive to Egypt. Former Arab Contractors football director Mohamed Ramadan resigned from his post to protest bad refereeing. Misri and El-Gouna officially asked to have foreign referees for all their games, while Mansoura threatened to forfeit the league. Being asked the reason for the continual allegations made against referees, Hossam answered: "Sometimes it is because of personal motives or affiliations." Have such allegations, and verbal challenges, had an effect on referees? "They have been greatly affected, especially after being accused of bias. Hence, EFA stood by the referees and it will no longer allow club officials and managers to launch angry tirades against them." In a statement on its website, EFA stated that it rejects any accusations of favouritism levied against the referees and demanded that referees be respected by all parties. Hassan Saqr, head of the Egyptian National Sports Council, agrees: "It is totally unacceptable to attack the referees. The referee is like a judge; he should not be criticised that way. Such severe criticism stirs up hatred and inflames anger among the fans." Saqr added: "I hope the media could play a better role by discussing how to improve refereeing in Egyptian football." "The majority of Egyptian teams filed complaints against the referees," Hossam said. "Zamalek alleged that the referees are biased while Ahli assumes that there is a conspiracy against them -- likewise the other teams. This proves that any mistakes were inadvertent and referees are fair overall." "When a referee makes a mistake, we take action. However, we wouldn't gun him down for a slip up," Hossam added. FIFA President Sepp Blatter has on many occasions objected to the use of video playback technology as undermining "the human nature of the sport". Does Hossam mind clubs asking for foreign referees? "I don't mind at all. Nevertheless, what I want to prove is that even with a foreign referee there will be mistakes. In the English Premier League game between Manchester United and Chelsea on Saturday, the Blues won also by referee blunder. Although it affected the result of a crucial game, no one complained." Are Egyptian referees paid enough? "The referee in Egypt gets only LE600 per game while the assistant referee gets about LE400 in the Egyptian Premier League. I requested from EFA to raise their salaries for the coming season, as I know they are not well paid. As for me, I'm a volunteer. I work free of charge." What is the main problem in refereeing in Egypt? "I have been a referee for 46 years. The problem of refereeing is a global one, and not merely a local one. The referee is always criticised because he is thought to be the weak link in the chain. All who lose a match will direct their failure upon him, in order not to be the reason for that loss or disappointment." The new earpiece that local referees wear during games also received criticism as being shoddily made. Does Hossam think it has had a negative influence on referees? "There is always sarcastic criticism on whatever is locally made or invented. I was the one who proposed using them. The earpieces work through mobile phone lines, not through wireless systems like those found abroad. I think it is more accurate and it will rarely fail." Any final thoughts? "All referees in the world make mistakes. They are humans, just like anybody else."
