FIFA dismiss Egypt penalty complaint

FIFA on Tuesday dismissed a complaint lodged by Egypt about a penalty decision by English referee Howard Webb that cost them their Confederations Cup match against Brazil.

“FIFA analysed the decision by going through all the evidence at its disposal, including the referee’s match report, as well as the additional statement that Howard Webb provided at FIFA’s request,” it said in a statement.

FIFA said their analysis showed the decision “was achieved through teamwork between the match referee and his assistant referee number one, Mike Mullarkey, who confirmed the offence to the referee from his clear viewing angle”.

The teams were locked at 3-3 when a spot kick was awarded in the dying minutes for a deliberate handball inside the penalty area by Ahmed al-Muhamadi, who blocked Lucio’s shot.

Kaka stepped up to convert it and hand Brazil victory.

Egypt deputy coach Shawky Gharib said the team was bemused after Webb initially gave a corner only for the decision to change, seemingly after the fourth official watched a video replay.

Using video technology is not allowed.