Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala, center left, talks to Egypt s Mohamed Salah, during a qualifying soccer match against Senegal for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cairo International stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, March 25, 2022 (AP)
Three minutes past the hour mark, Egypt were awarded a foul near the center of the pitch after midfielder Hamdi Fathi was challenged by Senegal midfielder Nampalys Mendy, who had already been booked earlier.
Ndala then put his hand in his pocket, picked a yellow card and appeared ready to brandish it. However, he then returned the card to his pocket, enraging Egypt's players who believed Mendy deserved to be sent off.
Local media said Ndala simply reversed his decision upon realizing that the yellow card meant Mendy would receive his marching orders.
Egypt's assistant coach Roger De Sa also appeared to mock Ndala's decision on his Twitter account.
"It's like a box of chocolates. You never know what you gonna get' (Officiating). Or do we know ?" he wrote in a tweet that also included a still image of Ndala holding the yellow card in his hand.
Former Egyptian referee Ahmed El-Shennawi also questioned Ndala's decision, saying that African governing body CAF "should review the incident."
Senegalese fans also looked not fully satisfied with Ndala's performance, with many arguing that Egypt's early opener should have been disallowed for offside.
Television replays were inconclusive as to whether striker Mostafa Mohamed flicked a long ball into the path of Mohamed Salah, who neatly controlled it before hitting a left-foot shot that struck the bar before rebounding off Senegal's Saliou Ciss and into the net.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology was in use in the game.
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