The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has announced it will file a formal complaint with both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA regarding the refereeing during Algeria’s recent match against Nigeria. The quarter-final encounter in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifier sparked widespread controversy due to several questionable decisions that significantly impacted the game.
The match, which saw Nigeria emerge victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, was officiated by Senegalese referee Issa Sy, a choice that had already raised concerns among Algerian football officials. Adding to the discontent, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties were overseen by Pierre Atcho Ghislain from Gabon.
Several key incidents are at the heart of the complaint. Most notably, a clear penalty appeal for Algeria in the 9th minute, following an apparent handball inside the Nigerian penalty area, was dismissed without intervention from either the referee or the VAR team. This decision is viewed by the FAF as a critical turning point in the match.
Further fueling the outrage were perceived inconsistencies in the application of disciplinary measures. Algerian players such as Ramiz Zerrouki and Anis Hadj Moussa received yellow cards for what were deemed minor infractions, while similar or more egregious fouls committed by Nigerian players went unpunished. Television footage also captured an incident where referee Sy appeared to refuse to shake the hand of Algerian player Riad Benayad, while readily shaking hands with Nigerian players immediately afterward.
The Desert Foxes’ coach, Vladimir Petkovic, and several players have voiced their strong dissatisfaction with the refereeing performance, arguing that certain decisions disrupted the flow of the game and made it exceedingly difficult to mount a comeback.
The FAF’s complaint dossier to CAF and FIFA will include detailed technical reports, supported by video evidence, highlighting the controversial refereeing decisions. The federation seeks a thorough review of the officiating performance and demands that measures be taken to ensure fair play and adherence to established standards in future continental competitions. Furthermore, the FAF is requesting the immediate suspension of the referees involved in these alleged errors. The FAF hopes this action will prevent similar injustices in future matches.
