Whistle Under Fire: AFCON Referee's Controversial Red Card Casts Shadow Over Mali–Comoros Match
1 January 2026
CAN Referee Faces Scrutiny After Controversial Red Card
One of the referees at the Africa Cup of Nations currently staged in Morocco is facing a crisis over a mistake he may have made during one of the matches he oversaw.
The Chad referee Mohamed Hajji officiated the Mali vs Comoros match in the third round of Group A in the group stage.
The match, played at Mohammed V Stadium, ended in a goalless draw and saw Mali midfielder Amadou Haidara sent off in the 88th minute.
The Mali federation decided to appeal the red card given to Haidara.
Asharq Al-Awsat quoted a source inside the Mali delegation saying Hajji admitted during a technical meeting with the referees committee that the red-card decision was a grave error.
The newspaper notes that Hajji's expression of apology during the meeting opens the door to possible review of the decision and could allow Mali's coaching staff to call up the player for the next match.
Haidara's sending-off occurred after a challenge the referee deemed a foul against a Comoros player, a moment that sparked wide controversy among fans and analysts at the time, especially since it came in the closing minutes.
All eyes now turn to the organizers' committee decision on whether to revoke the red card, which would give Haidara a chance to participate for Mali in the next match against Tunisia in the Round of 16 scheduled for this coming Saturday.
The Mali coaching staff hopes that the revocation would strengthen the squad ahead of the decisive knockout clash with Tunisia in the Round of 16.
Two quick lines of levity to end: If refereeing were a sniper’s job, Hajji would still be aiming for the right call—and occasionally missing the target. And, in football, the whistle may lie, but fans will replay the moment forever.
