Former FIFA and Premier Soccer League referee Victor Hlungwani has shared his views on the big talking points from the game between Argentina and Egypt.
The Pharaoes were knocked out after Argentina staged a two-goal comeback despite still trailing 2-0 after 78 minutes.
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After the match, there was a loud outcry and harsh criticism on French referee Francois Letexier and his team, including the Video Assistant referees, with Egypt coach Hossam Hassan suggesting there was favouritism.
However, Hlungwani insisted the decision to rule out Mostafa Zico’s 2-0 for Egypt after a foul from Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martinez in the build-up was the right call – and Bafana Bafana experienced a similar case at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
“In this case, a goal is scored – every goal has to be checked [by VAR], every penalty has to be checked, every red card has to be checked,” he told Thabiso Mosia on Radio 2000.
“Whether the players come and crowd the referee or not, they have to be checked. So people who said there was influence, the referee will wait for VAR to check.
“In this case a goal was scored, they had to check. When they checked, they realised a foul was committed, hence they brought it back. In terms of the law, the referee has to comply to the law in this situation.
“Whether 20 seconds, 5 seconds or 2 seconds – [a goal stands] “provided no offence has been permitted by the team scoring a goal. Did the team scoring a goal commit a foul before the goal was scored? The answer is yes…
“It’s not the first time such things happen – even in our case, we once had a penalty against Nigeria. Inside the penalty area [of Nigeria] Percy Tau was kicked. The ball went to the other side, a goal was scored.
“VAR came in and checked was Percy Tau kicked? And they gave us a penalty and we celebrated. What is different to this one [from Argentina]?”
‘No referee in the world gives that as a foul’
Hlungwani also insisted the outcry about Mohamed Salah deserving a penalty before Argentina scored the 3-2 winner via Enzo Fernandez were farfetched – but they did deserve a spot-kick for a foul on Hamdy Fathi.
“Not all contacts are fouls. If you check the two scenarios are different. Not when Mo Salah lost the ball and they made contact.
“They just touched him as they moved, he even lost the ball. I don’t think any referee is giving that as a foul in the whole world.
“But the one where a player [Hamdy Fathi] was pulled, he was prevented from getting into an advantageous position.
“So penalty should have been awarded to Egypt, it was not given.”