Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    Remittances from Egyptians abroad surge 70% YoY in July–May: CBE    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Al-Sisi urges accelerated oil, gas discoveries, lower import bill    SCZONE signs $52.6m textile industry deals during China investment tour    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Famine kills more Gaza children as Israel tightens siege amid global outrage    Kuwait's Crown Prince, Egyptian minister discuss strengthening cooperation    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Egypt's FM seeks deeper economic, security ties on five-nation West Africa tour    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Abdul-Fattah: I did not apologize to the Aussies
Published in FilGoal on 13 - 06 - 2006

Egyptian referee Essam Abdul-Fattah insisted that his decision to count Japan's goal against Australia was correct and denied Australian reports that indicated that he issued an apology regarding his decision.
“FIFA's refereeing committee convened on Tuesday to assess the referees' performance during Monday's games and agreed unanimously that Japan's goal against Australia was correct,” Abdul-Fattah told FlGoal.com exclusively on Tuesday.
Abdul-Fattah insisted that Japan striker Shunsuke Nakamura was pushed by an Australian defender to collide with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and that it was a correct decision to allow the goal.
The international Egyptian referee also insisted that he would've awarded Japan a spot-kick if Nakamura's shot deflected from the net.
Australia, however, came back from a goal down to beat Japan 3-1 in the World Cup Group F opener thanks to a double salvo from substitute Tim Cahill.
Australia manager Guus Hiddnik had said in a press conference after the match that Abdul-Fattah should thank God that Australia managed to beat Japan after they were awarded the controversial goal.
On the other hand, Abdul-Fattah said that he doesn't know what matches he will run in the World Cup's second round and said that he was chosen for the Australia and Japan match given the physical demands of the match and his ability to keep up with the players' pace, especially after acing the Cooper test.
Abdul-Fattah said that he watched several matches for Australia before the World Cup and noticed that their game was generally rough, that's why he decided to be strict in his decisions on them.
Abdul-Fattah is the only Arab referee in the 2006 tournament and one of only two African referees, the second being Coffi Codjia from Benin.


Clic here to read the story from its source.