AFCON 2025 Referee Suspended Indefinitely Over Officiating Controversies
A prominent FIFA-badged referee who officiated matches involving Nigeria and Morocco during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has been suspended indefinitely, casting a spotlight on officiating standards in African football. The suspension comes weeks after the successful conclusion of the continental tournament hosted by Morocco, raising questions about the consistency and quality of refereeing at the highest levels of the sport.
Referee Omar Artan Withdrawn from Quarterfinal Clash
Referee Omar Artan from Somalia was abruptly withdrawn from the highly anticipated quarterfinal match between Nigeria and Algeria due to a breach of tournament commercial rules. This incident added to the growing concerns over officiating during the 35th edition of AFCON, where several matches were marred by poor decisions that prompted scrutiny from participating nations and football stakeholders across the continent.
Tunisian VAR Official Haitham Guirat Faces Disciplinary Action
In a related development, the Tunisia Football Federation has suspended Video Assistant Referee Haitham Guirat indefinitely following a major officiating error during a domestic league clash between CS Sfaxien and Club Africain on February 8. Guirat, who served as VAR in two key AFCON 2025 matches—Morocco versus Mali and Nigeria against Mozambique—has come under intense criticism for what has been described as a serious refereeing blunder.
The Tunisian Referees Committee has recommended immediate disciplinary review of Guirat's actions, aiming to preserve the integrity of the league and restore confidence in match officiating. Notably, Guirat also officiated as the VAR official during the crucial 2026 World Cup playoff final between Nigeria and DR Congo, further highlighting the widespread impact of his decisions.
CS Sfaxien Threatens League Withdrawal Over Officiating
The controversy has escalated with Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien threatening to withdraw from the league following their 1-1 draw against Club Africain, which they attribute to a major officiating error. The club has formally requested the full VAR audio and footage from the match, alleging possible manipulation in the handling of the incident and insisting that Club Africain's equaliser came from a clear offside position.
CS Sfaxien has vowed to submit an official complaint to the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports, signaling a breaking point in their tolerance of repeated refereeing mistakes. This move underscores the growing frustration among clubs and fans over the quality of officiating in African football.
Ghanaian Referee Daniel Laryea Under Scrutiny Again
Adding to the officiating controversies, Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea is facing renewed scrutiny after awarding a contentious penalty in Kaizer Chiefs' 2-1 victory over Al Masry in a CAF Confederation Cup clash. The decision has revived memories of Laryea's officiating in Nigeria's AFCON 2025 semifinal against Morocco, which ended 0-0 before Morocco won on penalties and was widely criticised for contentious calls.
CAF's Response and Integrity Measures
In response to these incidents, the Confederation of African Football has emphasized its commitment to transparency and integrity. While CAF's review panel found no fault in the officiating during the AFCON final, the governing body continues to investigate other cases to uphold the standards of African football. These suspensions and reviews reflect ongoing efforts to address officiating errors and maintain trust in the sport across the continent.
