TUNISIAN Referee Slim Jedidi yesterday reportedly admitted his error in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, paving the way for Burkina Faso’s star striker Jonathan Pitroipa to have his red card rescinded by Caf.
Kick off
Jedidi sent Pitroipa off in the 117th minute against Ghana, showing him a second yellow for diving and turning down a clear penalty shout. Burkina Faso also had what looked like a legitimate goal ruled out. The referee has since been suspended for his poor perfomance.
Burkina Faso wrote an official letter of appeal to Caf over the incident, but for Pitroipa to be able to take part in the final, Jedidi had to admit he had made a mistake in his match report and Caf president Issa Hayatou yesterday confirmed he had done so.
“Everyone realised that this referee did not officiate well,” Hayatou announced yesterday. “They’ve told me the referee has sent a letter saying he got it wrong.”
