AFCON 2025: Referee Who Officiated Morocco and Nigeria Matches Suspended Over Officiating Errors
- A prominent referee who officiated at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has been suspended indefinitely
- The North African referee handled several matches of the host nation before they reached the AFCON final
- The referee was also part of the VAR team for Nigeria versus DR Congo in the 2026 World Cup playoff
A FIFA-badged referee has been suspended indefinitely, weeks after the successful conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Somali referee Omar Artan was withdrawn from the quarterfinal match between Nigeria and Algeria after allegedly violating tournament commercial rules.
Some of the matches at the 35th edition of the continental tournament were marred by poor officiating, sparking calls for scrutiny from participating countries.
Source: Getty Images
Tunisia suspends referee after AFCON controversy
The Tunisia Football Federation (TFF) has reportedly suspended referee Haitham Guirat indefinitely, weeks after his involvement at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
According to Creebhills, he was said to have committed a major officiating error during the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 clash between CS Sfaxien and Club Africain on Sunday, February 8.
The referee has come under intense criticism from football stakeholders in Tunisia, with his decision described as a serious refereeing blunder.
Guirat has been recommended for immediate disciplinary review by the Tunisian Referees Committee, in a move aimed at preserving the integrity of the league and restoring confidence in match officiating.
The Tunisian official served as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in two matches at the AFCON 2025 between Morocco-Mali and Nigeria-Mozambique, according to CAF.
Guirat also served as the VAR official during the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff final between Nigeria and DR Congo last year.
CS Sfaxien threatens league withdrawal over refereeing
Meanwhile, Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien threatened to withdraw from the league after their 1-1 draw against Club Africain, citing a major officiating error.
According to Foot Africa, the club said it had reached a breaking point and could no longer tolerate repeated refereeing mistakes.
CS Sfaxien confirmed they have formally requested the full VAR audio and footage between the match referee and the assisting team during the encounter.
The club also vowed to submit an official complaint to the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports, alleging possible manipulation in the handling of the incident.
They insisted that Club Africain’s equaliser came from a clear offside position.
Source: Getty Images
Ghanaian referee under fire again after AFCON
Also, Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea is under scrutiny again after awarding a penalty in Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-1 victory over Al Masry in a CAF Confederation Cup clash on Sunday, February 8.
The decisive moment came in the 39th minute when the official judged that the Egyptian club's defender, Ahmed Mansour, had handled Glody Lilepo’s low shot inside the box, as reported by Supersport.
The penalty decision immediately revived memories of Laryea’s officiating in Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against Morocco.
That match ended 0-0 after added time before the host nation won 4-2 on penalties, but the officiating was widely criticised for contentious calls.
CAF rules on Ndala over officiating
Legit.ng earlier reported that the CAF confirmed that its review panel had found 'no fault or irregularity' in referee Jean Jacques Ndala’s officiating during the AFCON final.
The governing body stressed that the investigation into the official's conduct had been carried out in the aim of transparency and to protect the integrity of African football.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
