Egypt head coach Carlos Queiroz slammed Afcon officials after receiving a red card during his side’s semi-final win over Cameroon.
Host nation Cameroon were sent crashing out of the tournament on Thursday night after losing on penalties to Egypt following a goalless 120 minutes of action.
One of the biggest talking points of the game came when Queiroz was sent to the stands after remonstrating with head referee Bakary Gassama late in the second half of normal time, and he vented his fury to reporters post-match.
“Again, unfortunately, they send this type of referees to a game of this level, referees with no experience, no level, wanting to put on a show… It started right in the dressing room,” Queiroz said.
“We hadn’t started the game yet and he comes to the locker room to intimidate our staff.”
“But even against this, against all the decisions, which were always against Egypt, we were the best team in the second half and on penalties.”
According to Queiroz, the overall treatment of his squad from officials and organisers throughout the tournament was not good.
“CAF doesn’t respect Egypt, from the timings to the quality of the pitches – we had the worst pitches! We are Egypt!
“How can this referee, after what he has done in the past, be in the African Cup of Nations? Who understands this? Nobody!”
Queiroz’s assistant Diaa Al-Sayed also stoked up controversy after the game by calling for Afcon chiefs to push Egypt’s final date with Senegal back to Monday.
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