Gambia football federation (GFF) has heaped praises on Referee Bakary Papa Gassama for what it termed a ‘professional dispositions’ during the semi-final game between Egypt and Cameroon on Thursday. www.owosports.com.ng reports
The acknowledgement is coming on the heels of some criticism that has been meted out at the Award winning Referee over the manner in which he handled the clash.
A tough-soaked encounter, Egypt defeated Cameroon on penalties to set up a final with Teranga Lions of Senegal after a goalless 120 minutes.
The game went controversial on Thursday when the Gambian Referee sent off Coach Carlos Quieroz of Egypt towards the end of the first 90 minutes.
Gassama had earlier shown yellow card to the former Manchester United Assistant Coach before handing him a red card some minutes later.
The call to send the Portuguese out is believed to be Bakary’s fierce reaction to the gaffer’s gestures to some of his decisions during the game.
Also during the extra time, the Assistant Coach,of the Pharaohs, Diaa al-Sayed received a yellow card from the Referee for another similar ‘offence’.
Liverpool Star and Captain of the Egyptian side, Mohammed Salah was seen complaining to the arbiter after the first 90 minutes of the encounter while the latter waved him off.
Recall that Egypt had earlier before the game protested against the choice of the Gambian who they believed was coming to do bid of the host Country, Cameroon.
“The GFF congratulates Bakary Papa Gassama for officiating the semifinals between Cameron and Egypt in the highest professional manner. Such performances like today are what earned him multiple African best referee prize. Papa is the nation’s pride. The entire football family in The Gambia are proud of him even more” said the Gambia football governing body in its official Facebook page.
Gassama who has won ‘African best Referee’ of the year on several occasions was in charge of the 2019 AFCON final where Senegal lost to Algeria 1-0.
Among other games, He was also in charge of the Group game encounter between Nigeria and Egypt where the former recorded a 1-0 victory over the Pharaohs.
