Nations Cup referee suspended over headbutt
Reuters - Sunday 31 January 2010, 14:48
LUANDA - Benin referee Bonaventure Coffi
Codjia has been suspended indefinitely by the Confederation of
African Football (CAF) after failing to take action against an
Algeria player who head-butted him at the African Nations Cup.
A CAF spokesman told Reuters on Sunday that Codjia, also on
the shortlist for the World Cup in June, did not mention the
incident in his match report after deciding against taking any
action on the field against Algeria goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi.
Codjia was clearly grabbed by the collar and butted by the
keeper after Egypt took a 1-0 lead with a disputed penalty in
Thursday's semi-final in Benguela.
Chaouchi was enraged by the way in which Egypt's Hosni Abd
Rabou ran up to the ball, stopped and feigned his spot kick
before stroking it easily into the net.
Codjia awarded the goal and Chaouchi chased after the
referee, grabbing him from behind and turning him around and
butting him. He was quickly dragged away by team mates.
A minute earlier the referee sent off Algeria defender Rafik
Halliche for a second caution for a tackle that led to Egypt
being awarded the penalty.
Chaouchi was later sent off when an attempted kick at an
opponent earned a second caution.
Algeria wing back Nadir Belhadj was also given a straight
red card for a two-footed lunge with 20 minutes left as his side
lost 4-0.
CAF said disciplinary proceedings against Belhadj and
Chaouchi would be held next month. Both face bans which could
see them ruled out of the World Cup in South Africa.