Queiroz says knows nothing about Egypt's complaint over referee Gassama

Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz said he was not aware of a complaint the country's football association (EFA) had lodged with African governing body CAF over the appointment of referee Bakary Gassama for their clash against Cameroon in the Nations Cup semis.

Ahram Online , Wednesday 2 Feb 2022,
Views:1533
Carlos Queiroz
Egypt s Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 quarter-final football match between Egypt and Morocco at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde on January 30, 2022 (AFP)

The EFA revealed its move against the Gambian official on Tuesday, two days before the Cameroon clash, but did not provide any reasons for its complaint.

Gassama, who is one of Africa's most decorated referees, was in charge of Egypt's opening 1-0 loss to Nigeria in the group stage.

The match was largely free of controversial incidents, apart from a penalty appeal by Egypt that was waved away by Gassama when substitute Ahmed Zizo fell under a slight challenge in the area in the second half.

Asked during a Wednesday news conference whether Egypt's complaint could distract his team, Queiroz said: "Really? I didn't know about it. I'm learning it from you now."

Local reports said CAF had dismissed Egypt's complaint.

The Pharaohs will lock horns with hosts Cameroon in a re-match of the 2017 final, which the Indomitable Lions won 2-1 after coming from a goal down.

"Words like fear have been erased from our football dictionary. In our football dictionary, there is the word respect," Queiroz said of the mouthwatering clash.

"We have great respect for the Cameroon national team and its players, because they perform well and score goals, but we are ready, and after five matches I think everything is open to all teams."

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link:

 

ADD COMMENT

 
 
 
  • We will not publish comments which contain rude or abusive language, libelous statements, slander and personal attacks against any person/s.
  • We will not publish comments which contain racist remarks or any kind of racial or religious incitement against any group of people, in Egypt or outside it.
  • We welcome criticism of our reports and articles but we will not publish personal attacks, slander or fabrications directed against our reporters and contributing writers.
  • We reserve the right to correct, when at all possible, obvious errors in spelling and grammar. However, due to time and staffing constraints such corrections will not be made across the board or on a regular basis.

More news

More
Group A W D L P
Cameroon
2 1 0 7
Burkina Faso
1 1 1 4
Cape Verde
1 1 1 4
Ethiopia
0 1 2 1
Group B W D L P
Senegal
1 2 0 5
Guinea
1 1 1 4
Malawi
1 1 1 4
Zimbabwe
1 0 2 3
Group C W D L P
Morocco
2 1 0 7
Gabon
1 2 0 5
Comoros
1 0 2 3
Ghana
0 1 2 1
Group D W D L P
Nigeria
3 0 0 9
Egypt
2 0 1 6
Sudan
0 1 2 1
Guinea Bissau
0 1 2 1
Group E W D L P
Cote d Ivoire
2 1 0 7
Equatorial Guinea
2 0 1 6
Sierra Leone
0 2 1 2
Algeria
0 1 2 1
Group F W D L P
Mali
2 1 0 7
Gambia
2 1 0 7
Tunisia
1 0 2 3
Mauritania
0 0 3 0