TUNISIA V MALI : ENSHRING PROFESSIONALISM IN AFRICAN FOOTBALL




Tunisia V MALI : ENSHRING PROFESSIONALISM IN AFRICAN FOOTBALL~ Olubor Uyi Esq.

The African Cup of Nations began on the 9th of January 2015. Hitherto to the commencement of the soccer fiesta, the football world waited with bated breath in anticipation of what one of the biggest tournaments in the World produces. However, less than a week into the sporting carnival. Supporters of the beautiful game in Africa got the eggs on the face treatment during the highly anticipated clash between the National teams of Tunisia and Mali. The game was marred by many questionable decisions by the Referee. The straw that finally broke the Camel's back was when the Referee signalled the end of regulation time at the 86th minute. Although, they were claims that his time piece malfunctioned. Nevertheless, he made amendments by recalling the teams back to the pitch to continue the game. However, not less than three minutes later (that is, in the 89th minute), the man at the centre of the pitch again signalled the end of the match. This decision once again drew the ire of the Tunisian National team, who were currently losing to their opponents. This erupted a wide protest in the camp of the Tunisians, who were invariably angered by the decision of the Referee. Once again, via the VAR, the attention of the Referee was drawn to this clear error. However, at this point, the Tunisians felt they have had enough and failed to harken to the demand made by the man in the ire of the storm to return to the pitch.

Yes, I understand the Tunisians were definitely left aghast by the decisions of the referee on the said date. However, I feel the decision not to return to the game and continue the game was ill-conceived, and I pray it does not turn out to be a banana pill for them in the future. If they had any objection to put forward against the referee. They could have waited till the end of the game and complied with Article 18 of the AFCON Regulations by filing a formal complaint with CAF. Instead of deciding to take the laws into their hands by refusing to return to the pitch. This is not the first time in Africa we are seeing a major game being abandoned by a team after it felt unjustly treated. We all remember the CAF Champions League Final between Esperance vs Wydad Classablanca. When Wydad abandoned the game after they complained the VAR was not put into use, which would have detected a goal they felt was legal. However, they paid the ultimate price by forfeiting the game and losing the match. Although, they protested this decision. It was invariably upheld by CAS.

The Prayer for the Tunisians would be that none of their opponents (especially members of their group) does not seek any legal solution to determine the fate of the North Africans. Article 82 of the AFCON 2021 Regulations is very explicit on the fate of any team that abandons a game. The said provision states as follows: “If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorization of the referee, it shall be considered looser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition. The same shall apply for the teams previously disqualified by decision of CAF”. I must state In addition, that Africa is not the first continent to suffer this kind of bizarre occurrence. This season, during the La Liga game between Sevilla v Granada. The referee’s clock malfunctioned. However, it was detected by VAR. The referee then  asked the players to descend from their dressing room to continue with the match. Which they professionally obliged.

Judging from the provisions of Article 82. The North Africans by refusing to continue with the game has opened itself to be eliminated from the AFCON. Especially in a situation where any of their opponents decides it will be in their interest to make a formal protest against their conduct. Yes, I do understand that the North Africans might want to claim that the referee having signalled the end of the end of the game; they cannot be adjudged to have abandoned the game. This is, however, leaving it too close to call. As we all appreciate that we are living in the VAR world and referee’s decisions are no longer cast in stone. They reserve a right to review it and the participants are obliged to obey it.  

Finally, at the end of the day; critical stakeholders in African football must discourage situations where participants result to self-help. Instead of following laid down laws and procedures. This would only expose African Soccer to International opprobrium.

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