Chaotic scenes marred the final as Tunisian side Espérance Sportive de Tunis claimed the Arab Championship title late last night with a 3-2 victory over Al-Faisaly of Jordan.
It was an eventful match which saw Al-Faisaly come back from two goals down in Alexandria, before Chamseddine Daoudi’s extra-time winner. The match, however, will likely be remembered as much for what happened after that goal, as the edgy atmosphere turned nasty.
Believing that Franck Kom had been offside position before he played Daoudi in for the winner, the Al-Faisaly players hounded the Egyptian referee, Ibrahim Nour El-Din, surrounding and pushing him, TV footage shows. The referee let the goal stand, much to the anger of the Jordanian side.
The ugly scenes continued after the final whistle, with Al-Faisaly officials and players continuing their harassment of El-Din, with some trying to hit and headbutt him.
Even before the shocking scenes, the final had been a lively affair with Espérance taking a two-goal lead early in the second half. Saad Bguir gave the Tunis-based side the advantage with strikes in the 47th and 54th minutes.
Al-Faisaly, however, had beaten local favourites and Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly in the semi-finals and showed that spirit to get back into the clash. Akram Zuway got a goal back in the 71st minute and, with only three minutes left, Khalil Baniateyah got the equalizer to send the match into extra-time.
That set up Daoudi’s winner and the ugly scenes that followed. Surprisingly no red cards were dished out. The Egyptian police reportedly arrested a number of Al-Faisaly fans after the match for violent acts.
It was the 27th edition of the tournament that until last season was called the UAFA (Union of Arab Football Associations) Club Cup, and the second time Esperance have won the title.