Tunisia-Murad Teyeb: Referee Mourad Daami defended his decision to award Egypt a penalty-kick in their African Cup of Nations final against Ivory Coast last Friday. The Tunisian official came under fire for awarding the home side a spot-kick in the first-half of extra when Mohamed Barakat was felled by a high foot challenge from Blaise Kouassi. "The penalty-kick that caused all this controversy was absolutely justifiable," Daami said in an interview with Tunisian TV. "I was close by and I could see the challenge very well," he said. "I made the decision was made in a fraction of a second." "As for the people who didn't like my decision, all I can say is that they lack the basics of officiating and what it means to take charge of strong African match-ups." Ahmed Hassan squandered the spot-kick, taking the game to a penalty shootout after both teams failed to score during the two hours of play.
Egypt went on to win the shootout 4-2 and scoop their fifth African title. Daami found many supporters for his decision back home in Tunisia, including former Tunisian referee Rachid Bin Khedija Bin Khedija, an expert working with the Tunisian Football Federation, the Arab Union Football Association and CAF, said that Daami's decision was completely sound. "The decision was accurate and does not need any explanation or justification," he said. "The Ivorian player raised his foot and was in contact with his Egyptian opponent." Bin Khedija also backed Daami's decision to disallow Egypt's 85th minute goal for offside. "The player (Mohamed Shawki) capitalized on his offside position when Ivorian keeper (Jean-Jacques Tizie) fumbled the ball," he explained. Daami, who took charge of the 2000 African final between Cameroon and Nigeria, had told Filgoal.com, prior to Friday's final, that he was proud to referee such an important match.
