Egypt Manager Claims CAF Gave Senegal Major Edge Before Semi-Final

In a heated post-match press conference following Egypt's dramatic quarter-final exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, Pharaohs manager Rui Vitória accused the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of handing Senegal a "big advantage" ahead of their semi-final clash.

Egypt, three-time AFCON champions, were knocked out in a tense penalty shootout by Senegal after a 1-1 draw in their quarter-final encounter. Vitória pointed to several controversial refereeing decisions during the match, claiming they favored the Teranga Lions. "CAF handed Senegal a big advantage before the semi-final," he stated bluntly, referencing what he described as "inconsistent officiating" and "preferential treatment" that disrupted Egypt's rhythm.

The Portuguese coach highlighted a disputed late penalty awarded to Senegal, which he labeled "inexplicable," and multiple uncalled fouls on Egypt's star forward, Mohamed Salah. "We've faced tough opposition, but tonight felt rigged from the start," Vitória added, urging CAF to address refereeing standards amid growing tournament controversies.

This outburst comes amid broader scrutiny of AFCON officiating. Parallel to Vitória's claims, CAF announced a disciplinary investigation into incidents from other quarter-finals, including Cameroon vs. Morocco and Algeria vs. Nigeria[1]. In the Morocco game, post-match confrontations involving goalkeeper Luca Zidane and Nigerian players like Dele-Bashiru raised red flags, with CAF reviewing video footage for code of conduct breaches[1]. Similar tensions marked Algeria's loss to Nigeria, prompting referrals to the Disciplinary Board[1].

Vitória's comments have ignited debates on fairness in African football, with Egyptian fans echoing calls for transparency. Senegal, now semi-finalists, face Nigeria next, but the shadow of controversy looms large. CAF has yet to respond directly to the allegations, focusing instead on its ongoing probes into quarter-final misconduct[1]. As AFCON Morocco 2025 progresses, demands for impartial refereeing intensify, testing the confederation's authority.

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