Ahly blast Ghanaian referee

Egyptian club Al Ahly have reported the referee in their African Champions League decisive semi-final clash against Esperance of Tunisia to the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey was in charge of the game in Rades on the outskirts of Tunis.


Ahly claim Mike Eneramo's goal, which gave Esperance a 1-0 victory, was scored by the hand but the referee allowed it to stand.


A statement on the Ahly website says the referee was 'clearly biased'.


Television replays show Eneramo clearly using his arm to steer the ball into the net after a headed cross.


The Egyptians led 2-1 from the first leg in Cairo but were eliminated from the competition on the away-goal rule after a 2-2 aggregate deadlock.


Coach Hossam al-Badri claimed that Lamptey cost record six-time champions Ahly the chance of a US$1.5m first prize and a place in the end-of-year Fifa Club World Cup.

"The match was over before the kickoff.


"I feel sorry because we play football in Africa where referees do whatever they want," Badri complained.


The victory is sweet revenge for Esperance who lost out to Ahly at the same stage of the competition nine years ago.


Then, the ball seemed to strike the hand of an Ahly player to give them victory over the Tunisians.


Esperance will now play defending champions TP Mazembe of the DR Congo in the two-legged final, which begins later this year.