 |
| Omar Artan |
In a stunning turn of events at the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sacked Omar Artan, the 2025 Referee of the Year, just hours before he was set to officiate the high-stakes quarterfinal clash between Algeria and Nigeria.
The Somali official, who claimed the prestigious award at last year’s CAF Awards ceremony in Morocco, according to some social media reports faced immediate dismissal after CAF officials discovered he was wearing cleats from a brand not approved by the governing body.
Artan had been handpicked for the pivotal match, but the footwear violation led to his abrupt removal from the tournament.
According to the report, sources close to the situation confirmed that CAF enforces strict equipment regulations to maintain uniformity and impartiality across all games.
Artan’s infraction, though seemingly minor, underscored the organization’s zero-tolerance policy amid the intense spotlight of Africa’s premier football spectacle.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions online, with fans debating whether the punishment fits the crime.
Algeria and Nigeria supporters, already on edge for the knockout showdown, now await CAF’s replacement referee as the tournament presses on.
0 comments:
Post a Comment