The exchange between referee Mohamed Adel and VAR officials during an incident in the Zamalek vs. Bank El Ahly game has been made public.
MBC Masr released an audio recording of the conversation between main referee Mohamed Adel and VAR official Mido Salama during the review of a last-minute handball penalty awarded to Zamalek.
The penalty helped Zamalek secure a 3-2 victory after Bank El Ahly player Sayed Neymar appeared to have conceded a handball.
VAR Official Mido Salama: “I see a potential handball on the Bank El Ahly player.”
Referee Mohamed Adel: “I just want to see the play.”
Mido Salama: “Here, I’m showing you the play.”
Mohamed Adel: “Rewind it, Mido.”
Mido Salama: “Have you seen the play?”
Mohamed Adel: “Rewind it again, Mido.”
Mido Salama: “Okay, three frames back.”
Mohamed Adel: “I want to see it at normal speed.”
Mido Salama to Assistant VAR Official Osama El Sayed: “Play it at normal speed.”
Mohamed Adel: “For god’s sake Mido, the ball’s coming from the ground and hitting his arm!”
Mido Salama: “I’ll show you the close angle.”
Mohamed Adel: “It’s really tough, Mido.”
Mohamed Adel has since denied the authenticity of the recording, claiming that Artificial Intelligence was used to alter his voice.
The EFA have referred him to their legal department for investigation, with the referee reportedly attending an initial session on Monday,