Tunisian referee Haitham Guirat suspended indefinitely following officiating errors at AFCON 2025 and in domestic league matches

The Tunisia Football Federation has suspended referee Haitham Guirat indefinitely following a series of officiating controversies at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco and in domestic league matches.

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Guirat, a FIFA-badged official, was part of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team during several AFCON 2025 matches, including Morocco versus Mali and Nigeria versus Mozambique.

He also served as VAR during the 2026 World Cup playoff between Nigeria and DR Congo.

The suspension comes after a major refereeing error in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 match between CS Sfaxien and Club Africain on February 8.

The decision, which allowed an equaliser despite an alleged offside, drew criticism from the club and football stakeholders nationwide.

CS Sfaxien threatened to withdraw from the league and requested full VAR audio and footage of the incident.

The club also plans to submit a formal complaint to the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“The decision to suspend Guirat reflects the federation’s commitment to restoring confidence in match officiating and preserving the integrity of the league,” the Tunisian Referees Committee said in a statement.

Haitham Guirat’s involvement in AFCON 2025, where some matches were criticised for poor officiating, has intensified scrutiny.

His performance has sparked calls for reforms in VAR protocols and referee accountability at both domestic and continental levels.

The suspension coincides with renewed controversy surrounding Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea, who awarded a penalty in Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-1 victory over Al Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Laryea’s decision revived criticism of his officiating during Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 semifinal against Morocco, a match that ended 0-0 before Morocco won on penalties.

Confederation of African Football officials have previously defended referee Jean Jacques Ndala, clearing him of irregularities in AFCON final matches, emphasizing the importance of transparency and integrity in African football.

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The developments highlight ongoing challenges in referee accountability across African football, with national federations increasingly pressured to ensure fair play and restore confidence among clubs and fans.