A domestic league match in Egypt descended into a highly unusual sequence of events after a controversial refereeing decision, video review via a broadcast feed, and multiple team walk-offs produced a chaotic encounter between Telecom Egypt and Tanta in the Egyptian Professional League.
The incident occurred during a round 30 fixture officiated by referee Abdel Aziz El-Sayed, assisted by Walid Mamdouh and Shehab Rashed, with Hossam Hassan Mahmoud acting as fourth official. What unfolded on the pitch drew comparisons with high-profile continental matches, including the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, due to its unexpected and dramatic nature.
The controversy began when a challenge between a Telecom Egypt attacker and a Tanta defender led the referee to award a penalty kick. Tanta players immediately protested the decision, arguing that while a foul had taken place, the contact occurred outside the penalty area. Their frustration was heightened by the absence of official video assistant referee (VAR) technology in the competition.
In an unusual turn of events, the fourth official used a mobile phone to access a live broadcast of the match via the internet in an attempt to reassess the incident. The footage indicated that the foul had indeed taken place outside the penalty area. The fourth official then alerted the referee, who reviewed the situation and subsequently overturned his original decision.
Following the reassessment, the penalty was cancelled and replaced with a direct free kick awarded on the edge of the penalty area. Tanta players, after initially protesting, returned to the pitch and prepared for play to resume.
However, the situation escalated again almost immediately. Telecom Egypt players responded to the reversal by leaving the field in protest at the referee’s change of decision. The abrupt withdrawal triggered further confusion and led to a prolonged period of consultations between officials and teams. After approximately 15 minutes of stoppage, Telecom Egypt eventually returned to the pitch, allowing the match to continue.
Once play resumed, Telecom Egypt capitalised on the awarded free kick, scoring the opening goal of the match from the set piece. The goal gave them a 1–0 lead in a contest already marked by controversy and interruptions.
Tanta, however, managed to regroup and later found an equaliser, bringing the match level at 1–1. Despite the earlier disruptions, both sides completed the fixture, which ultimately ended in a draw.
The extraordinary sequence of events, involving a penalty decision being overturned through unofficial video review and two separate team withdrawals, has raised further questions about officiating procedures in competitions without VAR technology. The match has since become a talking point within Egyptian football due to its rare and unconventional nature.
What should have been a routine league fixture instead produced one of the most unusual refereeing sagas of the season, marked by protests, reversals, and a dramatic swing in momentum before ending all square.
