Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller has slammed the officiating of their first leg CAF Champions League final clash against champions Wydad Atheltic Club.
Ahly secured a 2-1 win at the Cairo International Stadium ahead of the second leg in Casablanca this weekend but Libyan Referee Mutaz Ibrahim came under fire from the Swiss tactician over a couple of decisions.
Koller felt his side were denied a clear penalty and questioned why Video Assistant Refereeing was not called upon for Yahia Attiyat Allah’s handball on the halfway line.
“I am extremely angry about the refereeing decisions. I watched all the replays after the game. Firstly, we had a clear penalty after our player Hussein El-Shahat was fouled inside the penalty area,” Koller said in the post-match press conference (h/t) Kingfut.
“I don’t understand how the referee didn’t see this incident and didn’t consult the video assistant referee. Is it normal for them not to see it? Is it normal for the duo not to see it?”
“This deliberate handball drove me crazy. We had two players in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper from the halfway line, and the player deliberately handled the ball with his hand.
“In any continent, in any league, and on any other planet, the player would have been sent off, but the referee only showed a yellow card, and the VAR remained silent!
“This is the final of the Champions League between the two best teams on the continent. In the end, we won the game, but we are saddened because the referee’s decisions influenced the result.”
Despite being left enraged by the officiating on the evening, he’s confident he can secure their record 11th title when they travel to the Stade Mohamed V.
“I am confident that we can also score in Morocco. Now, I will return home and, once I regain my composure, I will rewatch the game and start thinking about the return leg.”
