Tunisia launch an appeal calling for their AFCON clash against Mali to be replayed following their controversial 1-0 defeat in the Group F game after the referee blew for full-time after just 85 minutes
- Tunisia’s Group F game descended into chaos after two refereeing errors
- Janny Sikazwe first blew full time between Tunisia and Mali in the 85th minute
- The AFCON game was restarted but then ended early with 20 seconds remaining
- Tunisia then refused to come out with referee meaning Mali won the game 1-0
- The nation have now launched an appeal, calling for the game to be replayed
Tunisia have appealed to replay their Africa Cup of Nations Group F match against Mali after the game ended in a controversial 1-0 defeat.
Mali were 1-0 up through Ibrahima Kone’s spot kick when referee Janny Sikazwe blew the final whistle early.
The Zambian official blew the final whistle after just 85 minutes before restarting play for four minutes, but blew again with just 89 minutes and 43 seconds of the clash gone.
Tunisia have appealed to replay their Africa Cup of Nations Group F match against Mali after referee Janny Sikazwe (left) blew the final whistle early
That was despite lengthy VAR checks for Kone’s penalty and a Tunisia spotkick that Wahbi Khazri missed, which were expected to see added time added on at the end of the game.
Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba’s post-match press conference was later interrupted as it was announced the final three minutes of the game would be played.
About 40 minutes later the Mali players and officials returned to the pitch but the Tunisian players refused as they had reportedly already had their ice baths.
Lengthy VAR checks were carried out for Ibrahima Kone’s penalty (pictured) and one which Tunisia missed
Tunisia’s refusal to return to play the remainder of the game led to Sikazwe blowing his whistle once again to call off the match, meaning the 1-0 victory for Mali will stand.
In the aftermath, Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier slammed the decision as ‘inexplicable’ and the nation have now called for the game to be replayed, according to beIN SPORTS.
Should the 1-0 result stand, Mali will be in a strong position to advance into the knockout stages of the competition for the second tournament running.
Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier (pictured) slammed the refereeing decision as ‘inexplicable’
In his post-match press conference Kebaier said: ‘Very tough to manage non-sporting affairs.
‘At the 85th minute he blows final whistle. Again at 89th minute. There was supposed to be 7-8 minutes of additional time. His decision is inexplicable.’
‘The players were taking ice baths for 35 minutes before they were called back out again,’ he added.
‘I’ve been coaching for a long time never seen anything like it. Even the 4th referee was preparing to lift the board and then the whistle was blow.’
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