The Al Ahly vs ZED match in the Egyptian Premier League featured one of the most debated refereeing incidents of the game after the ball struck Moroccan player Achraf Bencharki’s hand inside the Red Giants’ penalty area, prompting ZED players and the coaching staff to appeal for a penalty.
The VAR intervened to review the incident before referee Mohamed Maarouf decided to allow play to continue without awarding a foul. The decision sparked discussion after the final whistle, particularly because the incident came during a match that Al Ahly eventually won 2-0. ⚽🔥
As the debate continued, several refereeing experts offered their assessments of the incident and agreed that ZED did not deserve a penalty, pointing to Bencharki’s hand position and the way the ball struck different parts of the player’s body.
Jihadd Grisha: Mohamed Maarouf Made the Correct Decision
Refereeing expert Jihadd Grisha confirmed that Mohamed Maarouf was correct not to award ZED a penalty, explaining that Achraf Bencharki’s hand was in a natural position during the incident and that there was no deliberate attempt to handle the ball.
Grisha noted that the ball initially struck the Al Ahly player’s shoulder before reaching his hand, considering this detail important when assessing the entire incident.
He also explained that Bencharki’s hand was moving backward, indicating that the player was attempting to avoid the ball rather than deliberately making his body unnaturally larger.
Based on these factors, Grisha considered the referee’s decision to allow play to continue correct and said the incident did not qualify as a penalty offence. ⭐
Nasser Abbas Supports the Refereeing Team
Nasser Abbas agreed with the previous assessment, confirming that ZED were not entitled to a penalty in the incident.
The refereeing expert explained that Bencharki’s hand was in a natural and justifiable position and did not create an unnatural increase in the player’s body size, one of the key factors considered when assessing handball situations involving defenders inside the penalty area.
Abbas confirmed that these details made the referee’s decision not to award a penalty consistent with the law, meaning that allowing play to continue was the correct call.
Mohamed Salah Abdel Fattah: No Chance to Move His Hand Away
Refereeing expert Mohamed Salah Abdel Fattah also praised the VAR decision, confirming that not awarding a penalty was the correct outcome.
He explained that the ball did touch Bencharki’s hand, but the hand was in a natural position and the player had no genuine opportunity to remove it from the ball’s path at that moment.
He added that the ball did not stop after touching the Al Ahly player’s hand, but continued before also striking part of his chest, details that further supported the referee’s decision.
Tawfik El Sayed Settles the Debate
Tawfik El Sayed also confirmed that ZED did not deserve a penalty, pointing out that Bencharki’s hand was close to his body and in a natural position.
He stressed that such incidents should not be judged simply by whether the ball touches the hand. The assessment must also consider the position of the arm, the nature of the movement and the distance between the player and the ball.
He added that the ball also struck Bencharki’s shoulder and chest before and after the hand contact, an important factor in understanding and assessing the incident as a whole. 🏆
Taher Mohamed Taher’s Goal Analyzed
The refereeing debate was not limited to the Bencharki incident, as Al Ahly’s second goal, scored by Taher Mohamed Taher, was also reviewed.
Jihadd Grisha confirmed that the goal was valid, explaining that the contact between ZED defender Abdullah Bakry and an Al Ahly player did not rise to the level of an offence requiring a foul.
He also confirmed that there was no offside during the attack and praised the assistant referee for handling the difficult situation correctly.
Praise for the Refereeing Team
Grisha praised the overall performance of the refereeing team during the match, considering their handling of the important incidents to have been good, particularly the situations that required VAR review.
He also praised the way the offside lines were drawn, noting that the second assistant referee has significant experience and is regarded as one of the strong officials in the Egyptian Premier League.
He emphasized that Taher Mohamed Taher’s goal involved a particularly complex situation and that the officials dealt with it properly, while he also praised the VAR referee for his handling of the incidents that required intervention.
Al Ahly Secure Three Points
On the sporting side, Al Ahly defeated ZED 2-0 to collect another three points in their Egyptian Premier League campaign.
The goals were scored by Achraf Bencharki and Taher Mohamed Taher, while the refereeing debate surrounding several incidents remained after the final whistle before experts ultimately backed the officials’ decisions on the main controversial calls.
✨ The incident highlights the importance of proper refereeing interpretation when controversial situations arise, especially in matches where small details can potentially influence the final result.
📢 In your opinion, was referee Mohamed Maarouf correct not to award ZED a penalty? Do you agree with the refereeing experts’ assessments? Share your opinion in the comments. ⚽🔥
