Al-Masry SC have formally requested a review of their Confederation Cup quarter-final defeat to CR Belouizdad, citing what they describe as a critical refereeing mistake that could have altered the outcome of the tie.
Club officials confirmed that an official complaint has been submitted to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), asking for a reassessment of the match footage. At the centre of the dispute is an incident involving Belouizdad player Jaber Kassis, who, according to Al-Masry, received two yellow cards during the match but was not shown a red card.
Disputed Incident at the Heart of Complaint
The Egyptian club argues that the failure to dismiss the player constitutes a significant officiating error. According to the complaint, such a mistake falls within the scope of an administrative oversight by the refereeing team, potentially warranting further action.
An official source from Al-Masry’s board outlined the club’s position, stating: “We submitted an official complaint yesterday morning to the African Football Confederation, requesting a review of the original match tape after we watched the tape and found that a player from CR Belouizdad had received two yellow cards and was not sent off.”
The same source indicated that the club’s objective is to ensure fairness and protect its competitive interests.
“We submitted this complaint to preserve the club’s rights, and if it is proven to be true and that there was a refereeing error, the match will be replayed due to an administrative error by the match’s refereeing team.”
Quarter-Final Exit Under Scrutiny
Al-Masry were eliminated from the competition following a two-legged tie that ended without a decisive winner in either match. The first leg, played in Suez, concluded in a 1-1 draw, while the return fixture in Algeria finished goalless.
Despite the aggregate stalemate, Belouizdad advanced, bringing an end to Al-Masry’s continental campaign. The Egyptian club now believes that the alleged refereeing oversight may have had a material impact on the outcome.
CAF Review Awaited
CAF has yet to issue an official response to the complaint, and it remains unclear whether the governing body will open a formal investigation into the incident. The possibility of ordering a replay hinges on whether the situation is deemed an administrative error rather than a standard refereeing judgment.
Cases of this nature are relatively rare in African club competitions, and any decision could set a notable precedent regarding the handling of officiating disputes.
Domestic Focus Continues
While awaiting CAF’s decision, Al-Masry are continuing their domestic preparations. The team is scheduled to face El Gouna FC next Thursday at the New Suez Stadium in the quarter-finals of the Egyptian Clubs League Championship.
The club now finds itself balancing two fronts: pursuing a potential reversal of its continental exit while maintaining momentum in domestic competition.
A Test of Governance and Fair Play
The outcome of Al-Masry’s appeal will likely attract attention beyond the clubs involved, raising broader questions about refereeing standards and accountability in African football. For Al-Masry, the priority remains clear—securing what it believes is a fair resolution to a contentious episode that has overshadowed its Confederation Cup campaign.
