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Soccer News of Friday, 4 September 2009

Source: kickoff

Controversial Egyptian Referee to handle Ghana vs Sudan

CAF has appointed Egyptian officials for Ghana's Group D World Cup qualifier against Sudan on Sunday at the Ohene Djan Stadium.

Essam Abd El Fatah will be the centre-man will be aided on the lines by Ahmed El-Garthi(assistant referee 1) and Ahmed Abou(assistant referee 2).

45-year-old Abd El Fatah is a pilot in the Egyptian Army Air Force and he is currently a Lieutenant Major.

He was at the centre of controversy at the 2006 World Cup in Germany in a match between Japan and Australia.

Abd El Fatah controversially allowed Japan's only goal, a decision which Australian media claimed that he later admitted was in error.

He denied issuing an apology however, and said that "FIFA's refereeing committee agreed unanimously that Japan's goal against Australia was correct," and would have awarded a penalty against Australia had the ball not gone in, as Takahara was pushed by Craig Moore into Schwarzer.

The fourth official is Yasser Abd El Raaof Younus who is also from Egypt.