The Egyptian Refereeing Committee has officially dismissed allegations that referee Mohamed Maarouf tipped off Al Ahly’s football director, Wael Gomaa, to substitute a player who was at risk of receiving a second yellow card. The committee’s decision was based on a thorough review of the audio recordings from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room during the match between Al Ahly and ZED FC.
What the Recordings Revealed
According to an official statement, the committee listened to the complete VAR audio and found that the conversation between Maarouf and Gomaa was limited to Gomaa’s protest over a decision, demanding a foul in favor of his team. The referee responded that the play was clean and had already been checked by the VAR. The recordings contained no request from the referee to substitute player Ali Mahmoud or any attempt to shield him from a potential sending-off.
Background of the Controversy
The dispute began when a story circulated claiming that Maarouf had advised Gomaa to replace the player to avoid a second yellow card. This narrative quickly spread across sports programs and social media, prompting conflicting counter-narratives. The refereeing committee decided to revisit the official recordings to establish the facts, moving beyond personal recollections or impressions.
The Committee’s Review Process
The committee convened a meeting to discuss the incident and listened to the actual match recordings. The review confirmed that the exchange involved only a protest from the Al Ahly official and the referee’s explanation that the play was valid and had been reviewed via VAR. The committee did not deny that communication occurred, but it refuted the specific content attributed to that communication—a distinction that turned the recordings from mere technical material into decisive evidence in a media controversy.
How Referee Communication is Recorded
Former Egyptian referee and ex-head of the Refereeing Committee, Yasser Abdel Raouf, explained to Sky News Arabia that referee communication recording begins before the match starts. The system is activated when the officiating team tests their communication devices in the dressing room. From that moment, all conversations through the system become part of the official match recording.
Recording Details and Technicalities
The referee’s device is disconnected during the half-time break and reconnected for the second half. The fourth official’s device has a special feature that allows him to control communication with the rest of the team, as his role involves interacting with coaches, substitutes, and team officials on the sidelines. This prevents extraneous noise from reaching the main officiating team during critical moments.
Who Has Access to the Recordings?
The company operating the VAR technology records the match both audio and video. This includes all on-field incidents, conversations between the referee and assistants, and communications with the VAR room. A camera inside the VAR room or broadcast vehicle documents the work of the video officials. After each round, the company hands over the storage unit with all match recordings to the refereeing committee, which can then review any incident as needed.
Abdel Raouf noted that clubs may be allowed to listen to VAR communications if competition regulations grant that right, but the recordings remain official material managed by the organizing body and the refereeing committee.
Is Referee Communication with Officials a Violation?
Abdel Raouf clarified that a referee speaking with a team official is not inherently a violation. The referee has the authority to communicate with anyone within the field area as long as the discussion pertains to match management and stays within the laws of the game. He emphasized, “The referee is the master of the field and has the right to speak with any member of the technical staff or anyone on the field, within the framework of the law.” The assessment depends on the content and context of the conversation, not merely its occurrence. Normal communication to explain a decision or calm a protest is acceptable, while any improper guidance or attempt to favor a team would be subject to sanction.
A Test for Transparency
The refereeing committee stressed the importance of verifying facts before issuing judgments or spreading inaccurate information, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and objectivity. It also praised the Supreme Council for Media Regulation for summoning the legal representative of the channel that raised the issue, viewing it as a step to uphold professional standards in sports media.
This incident goes beyond clearing the referee of the alleged remarks. It demonstrates that recorded conversations can reveal what happens beyond the reach of broadcast cameras, and that reviewing such recordings may become essential whenever an unverified story threatens the integrity of referees or the fairness of competition.