Media sources: Faghani banned from refereeing 2023 AFC quarter-finals
Iraq’s Aymen Hussein is sent off after receiving a second yellow card for his goal celebration. Photo: Xinhua/Shutterstock
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Social media user accounts, including Iraqi sport media reporter Ali Noori, claimed that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has banned Iranian-Australian referee Alireza Faghani from officiating the 2023 Asian Cup quarterfinals until the conclusion of an inquiry into a complaint submitted by the Iraq Football Association (IFA).
In a recent match against Jordan, the Iraqi team’s joy turned to frustration when Faghani handed a red card to striker Aymen Hussein during a goal celebration.
The referee’s inconsistency became apparent as he ignored a parallel celebration by the Jordanian team, raising doubts and discontent among supporters.
Faghani’s decision had serious consequences, as Iraq’s 2-3 loss to Jordan meant that it was out of the competition.
More than 700,000 people signed a petition to suspend Faghani for his actions in the match between Iraq and Jordan, which they see as unfair.
Football Australia (FA) expressed solidarity with the Iranian-Australian referee.
After Iraq was eliminated from the Asian Cup in Qatar on Monday by Jordan, the FA said that it was collaborating with the appropriate law enforcement authorities to guarantee the protection of Faghani and his family.