Sports

Egypt Suspends Referee For Using Spectator’s Phone To Review Goal

Published

3 years ago

March 23, 2023

An Egyptian referee, Mohamed Farouk, has been suspended indefinitely by the country’s FA, for allegedly disallowing a goal after looking at footage on a spectator’s phone, Daily Mail reports.

Mohamed Farouk took charge of an Egyptian Second Division clash between Al-Nasr and Suez on Friday and in the absence of VAR, relied on an alternative system to get a second look at a late goal.

With the hosts Suez 2-1 up heading into the final few minutes, Al-Nasr scored a dramatic equaliser to earn a point on the road.

However, after vociferous protests from home supporters, Farouk was invited to use a fan’s phone to watch a replay of the goal before ruling it out for handball to deny the visitors an away point at Suez on Friday.

Dailymail reports that as a result of his actions, Farouk has come in for hefty punishment, with the head of the Egyptian Referees Committee, Vitor Pereira, deciding to suspend the referee and his entire matchday staff for ‘an indefinite period’.

Pereira replaced former veteran Premier League official Mark Clattenburg in the role with the ERC earlier in March.

Pereira’s action was confirmed by the Egyptian FA, who added, “The committee decided to investigate the incident when Mohamed Farouk, the referee of the match, used a mobile phone to review footage of the match’s events.”

Sports

AFCON: Osimhen Threatens To Dump Super Eagles, Return To Galatasaray

Published

12 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, reportedly threatened to quit the national team and return to Turkey.

According to Arise News, Osimhen was left fuming following his altercation with Ademola Lookman during the 4-0 win over Mozambique at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

Having scored a brace thanks to assists from Lookman, the 27-year-old lashed out at his team-mate for failing to pass to him in the 64th minute.

Osimhen then beckoned on the bench asking to be taken off, before he was replaced by Moses Simon.

At full time, Osimhen stormed out of the stadium and dropped his accreditation card, insisting he was “done” with the national team and wanted to fly back to Turkey.

He was then pacified by senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Sports

NPFL Announces Resumption Date For Second Stanza

Published

15 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has announced a date for the start of the second stanza of the 2025-26 season.

The second stanza will commence on Wednesday, 14 January, 2026.

The fixture will start with mid-week games across all the designated NPFL centers.

The NPFL disclosed this in a letter addressed to all the clubs.

The league body urged clubs to expect fixtures congestion in the second stanza.

Rivers United occupy top position on the NPFL table with 37 points from 19 matches.

Sports

Chelsea Coach Hails 3 Players For Keeping Team Together After Maresca’s Departure

Published

15 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Chelsea interim coach, Calum McFarlane has hailed three Blues players for keeping the team together after Enzo Maresca departed from the Premier League west London club.

Speaking after Chelsea’s recent Premier League 1-1 draw with Manchester City, McFarlane lauded Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Enzo Fernandez for their leadership and unifying influence in the Blues’ squad.

“I think it is a good moment to speak about the players. This is not an easy job,” McFarlane told reporters after the match.

“There is a lot of change that has gone on. Enzo was incredibly successful with this group. Some of them were shocked by the decision to sack Maresca.

“The character that they have shown today. Reece is a big one. Reece, Tosin and Enzo have really dragged the group together.”

Chelsea’s next Premier League tie is against Fulham on Wednesday.