Cameroonian referee Max Essouma was handed a one-year ban by CAF due to his errors in a Confederation Cup game between Moroccan duo Raja Casablanca and RS Berkane, the African governing body said on Tuesday.

Raja were furious at what they perceived 'blatant refereeing mistakes' that they said deprived them of a win following a 0-0 draw in their Group A clash on Sunday.

The team's chairman said Raja were denied "three clear penalties and a legitimate penalty."

"Following the weak and unsatisfactory performance which had an impact on the final result of the match … the CAF Referees Committee has decided to suspend referee Antoine Max Depadoux Effa Essouma for one year," CAF said in a statement on its website.

Reports said Raja had threatened to withdraw from Africa's secondary club competition after the controversial game.

Raja are the defending champions, having won last season's title after beating DR Congo's Vita Club 4-3 on aggregate. They lie at the bottom of Group A with three points, five behind leaders Berkane and two adrift of second-placed AS Otoho Doyo of Congo.

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