CAF Criticizes Gabonese Referee For Awarding Penalty To Algeria Against Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has criticized Gabonese Referee Eric Arnaud Castane for his handling of the Algeria vs Nigeria 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.

According to a report in Brila.net, in its match report after Friday’s 1-1 draw, CAF described some of the decisions by the 41-year-old particularly the penalty against Nigeria and Yacine Brahimi headbutting Super Eagles defender, Shehu Abdullahi.

Part of the report Reads:

Yacine Brahimi won and converted a harshly-awarded late penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw for Algeria against already-qualified Nigeria Friday in a World Cup Africa zone Group B dead-rubber.

The Gabonese referee ruled that Abdullahi Shehu fouled Brahimi as he moved into the box in Constantine, but big-screen replays suggested otherwise.

Porto midfielder Brahimi was lucky to still be on the field after escaping with a yellow card for head-butting Shehu 12 minutes from time.