The controversy surrounding international referee Mohamed Maarouf and media personality Karim Hassan Shehata continues to develop after Shehata once again stood by the information he presented regarding what happened during the Al Ahly-ZED match, calling for the complete Video Assistant Referee recordings to become the final evidence in the case. ⚽🔥
Karim Hassan Shehata believes that reviewing the recordings in full, without deleting or shortening any part, is the only way to establish the truth and prevent any party from being treated unfairly. He stressed that he is not afraid of having his account verified but wants the review process to be complete and transparent.
The developments come as the incident has become a major topic of discussion, particularly because of conflicting accounts regarding the conversation between referee Mohamed Maarouf and Wael Gomaa and whether their exchange was related to Al Ahly player Ali Mahmoud or another refereeing situation.
Karim Hassan Shehata Calls for Full Recordings
Karim Hassan Shehata confirmed that he is waiting for the VAR recordings to be reviewed but stressed that the process must be completed in full without removing any part of the communications.
He explained that deleting part of the recordings or relying only on a specific section could lead to a different interpretation of the incident, particularly because the sequence and timing of the conversation are essential to understanding what happened.
He said his main objective is to reach the full truth, stressing that if a mistake is proven, the responsible party should be held accountable, but he also does not want to be blamed for something he did not say or have his account assessed without its complete context. 📢
New Videos Enter the Controversy
Shehata also referred to video clips that he believes support part of his account, particularly regarding the existence of a conversation between Wael Gomaa and Mohamed Maarouf during the match.
He pointed out that the footage shows Wael Gomaa speaking with the referee before approaching head coach Hussein Ammouta, followed by a substitution involving Ali Mahmoud.
However, the existence of the visual sequence alone does not establish the content of the conversation, making the audio recording, in Shehata’s view, the most important element in determining exactly what was said.
Wael Gomaa Explains His Version
The controversy became more complicated after Wael Gomaa provided clarification regarding the circulating video.
After initially denying that he had spoken with Mohamed Maarouf about the player, he later explained that the conversation visible in the footage concerned another incident involving Ali Mahmoud, with Gomaa objecting to a potential penalty decision while the referee responded that the incident did not warrant a penalty.
This clarification opened a new area of discussion because the existence of the conversation became acknowledged, while the main disagreement remained about the content and timing of the exchange. ⚖️
“I Was Criticizing the Referee’s Decision”
Karim Hassan Shehata attempted to clarify that the basis of his original comments was a specific refereeing decision involving Ali Mahmoud and the failure to issue the player a second yellow card in a situation that Shehata believed deserved further punishment.
He stressed that he initially discussed the incident as a refereeing decision worthy of criticism before addressing the reported conversation between Mohamed Maarouf and Wael Gomaa.
Shehata believes that presenting his comments as an accusation against Al Ahly or an attempt to defend the club shifts the discussion away from its original purpose: evaluating a specific refereeing incident.
Why Is Shehata Insisting on the Recordings?
Karim believes the full recordings can resolve the controversy in either direction. If they support what he said, doubts about the accuracy of his information would disappear. If they contradict his account, he would then have to accept responsibility.
For this reason, he said he is not trying to get ahead of events but is waiting for what the recordings will reveal, expressing confidence that the recorded details will clarify what actually happened. 🎥
“I Don’t Want to Be the Weakest Link”
Shehata explained that he feels he is the party most exposed to pressure because the controversy involves a major club, an international referee and the refereeing committee.
He believes releasing or reviewing the full recordings would give all parties an equal opportunity to defend their positions and prevent a single sentence from being taken out of context and used to build accusations or conclusions.
He also stressed that he does not want confrontation with anyone but simply wants the truth about what happened on the pitch.
New Details Everyone Is Waiting For
The minutes surrounding the conversation between Mohamed Maarouf and Wael Gomaa have become a major focus, particularly because of their connection with what happened afterward involving Ali Mahmoud.
For this reason, reviewing the recordings covering that specific period could be decisive in establishing the sequence of events and determining whether there was a direct connection between the conversation and the subsequent substitution.
A Controversy That Requires Transparency
The case is no longer simply a disagreement between conflicting statements. It has become a test of transparency in handling refereeing recordings and information circulated through the media.
In situations like this, direct evidence becomes more important than interpretations because reaching conclusions before the full picture is available can prolong rather than resolve the controversy.
“I Want the Complete Truth”
Karim Hassan Shehata ended his position by emphasizing that he knows where the information came from and when he received it, but does not want to reveal details that could identify people or cause them harm.
His main demand remains clear: the complete VAR recordings should be heard, covering the period of the incident and what followed, without deletion or selective editing.
✨ Karim Hassan Shehata continues to stand by his account in the Mohamed Maarouf controversy while putting the complete VAR recordings forward as the real test, insisting that the truth should be the final judge in the case.
📢 Do you believe broadcasting the complete VAR recordings would end the Mohamed Maarouf and Karim Hassan Shehata controversy? Share your opinion and prediction about what the recordings will reveal. ⚽🔥
