Football Australia is supporting Alireza Faghani after the referee was targeted online following his officiating of Iraq’s dramatic Asian Cup loss to Jordan.
Meanwhile a group of journalists that angrily confronted Iraq coach Jesus Casas in the post-match press conference have had their accreditations revoked and been slapped with bans by the Asian Football Confederation.
Iraq, who beat Japan on their way to finishing top of their group, had been in flying form in Qatar and appeared destined to reach the quarter-finals when Aymen Hussein gave them a 2-1 lead in the 76th minute.
Iraq’s Aymen Hussein gets red carded after celebrating his goal against Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup Round of 16 match. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
Hussein wheeled away celebrating then sitting on the turf pretending to eat – mimicking an earlier celebration from Jordan’s Yazan al-Naimat, who scored the opener.
Faghani gave the goal scorer a second yellow card for excessive celebrations.
A 10-man Iraq were left fuming and were unable to hold on against Jordan, who scored in the 95th and 97th minutes to seal a dramatic 3-2 comeback win at Khalifa International Stadium.
After the match, Iranian referee Faghani, who has been based in Australia since late 2019 and is listed among Australia’s referees for the Asian Cup, was heavily blamed by Iraq fans online for their team’s defeat.
This included comments on social media, a petition calling for his suspension as a referee, and the posting of his personal details online.
“The safety and wellbeing of all Football Australia staff and members of the Australian football community is our priority,” FA said in a statement.
“Football Australia is in constant contact with Alireza and is providing he and his family with all the support they require.
“Football Australia is also working with e-Safety and relevant law enforcement agencies on this matter.”
Highly experienced referee Faghani is officiating at his fourth Asian Cup.
“While the AFC does not comment on individual refereeing performances, we strongly condemn any form of threat, harassment, or disclosure of personal information targeting our referees, players, officials and all stakeholders,” the organisation said.
The AFC added of the journalist bans: “The AFC strongly condemns any type of unruly and aggressive behaviour and takes a zero-tolerance stance against such actions.
“The AFC is deeply disappointed by the actions witnessed during the post-match press conference of the tie between Iraq and Jordan and have taken the swift decision to bar the responsible individuals from covering not only the (current) Asian Cup but also future AFC tournaments.”
The Iraq Football Association (IFA) lamented the scenes of Casas being harassed as more painful than their Asian Cup exit, and a “black mark” on Iraqi media.
“We denounce the blatant and abhorrent behaviour that occurred against the coach, and we confirm that we have decided not to deal with these media personnel who seek to cause chaos in the future,” the IFA said.
“And we will follow legal methods to restore the coach’s reputation, and approach the relevant authorities to explain what happened.”
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Not really his games there are fewer interruptions for fouls being called and he rarely hands out cards for bad tackles. What sets him off is anyone complaining , and a few other things, gamesmanship, time wasting , diving.
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
Didn’t know that. Sounds like a guy that makes it all about himself. Hopefully it’s his last game. I was talking to a pro rugby player about a year back. His opinion on refs is that all a player wants is that they are rewarded for good play. So simple yet so many refs forget that.
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
Shirt off is a well established yellow. This was different.
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
I watched it again and it was around 70 seconds. I take that back, probably didn't deserve a red card. The Iraqi journalists attacking their own coach at the airport is quite bizarre though.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Same thing applies to those taking their shirts off Ad. They're not time wasting but (for whatever reason) it's not allowed. He over-celebrated & was also being actively inflammatory. I'm no ref, and I agree it's a tad harsh, but if I was on a card I wouldn't be doing anything to give the ref an excuse
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Faghani has knocked them out of the tournament with that decision. Did they not do their research, Faghani lets the game run, by not calling fouls and if players complains he gives them a yellow card same with officials. Anything remotely like a dive even a legitimate foul and he comes out with a yellow as well. Celebrations he always polices any shirts off strictly . At the world cup the commentators were wondering why he wasn't calling fouls thats his standard practice in the A-league. Faghani the only thing good about him is he is consistent on both sides. Imagine Shaun Evans working for Qatar that would be a sight to behold.
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
Yeah... Nah... Cant agree with you. Can you justify a yellow? Yes. Should you pull the yellow out when the player is already on one? Probably not in this case. The celebration was definitely a bit much but, with 70secs between the goal going in and the red card being awarded, I dont think it was that much worse than some others I've seen. Sometimes it comes down to intent, I dont think the Iraq player was doing it to waste time. He just got a little carried away. Ref could have warned him and added a bit of stoppage time. Game was still good, but Jordan don't get all the credit now. Ref definitely helped them out there. And if you're an Iranian doing it to Iraq, of course they're gonna feel a way about it. Doesn't justify abuse, but there's no world where it wasn't controversial.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Yup that was as clear cut as clear cut could be...
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
The media have not helped this situation. The yellow card was deserved. The guy was off the pitch for several minutes, probably covered 200-300m walking around the outside of the pitch celebrating with the bench and the fans. After all that he sat down on the grass by himself mimicking the Jordan goal celebration. By that point one of the Iraqi subs was trying to drag him to his feet as the sub could see the ref was losing patience and was going to issue a card but it was too late. Deserved his card and cost his team a place in the quarter finals.