Liverpool news: Referee’s ‘career might be over’ as ‘unacceptable’ Sadio Mane image emerges – Ex-Fifa official
The career of Africa Cup of Nations officials Adil Zourak and Bouchra Karboubi may be over after he took a selfie with Liverpool star Sadio Mane following Senegal’s win over Egypt (6 February).
That is the view of ex-Premier League and Fifa referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the “unacceptable” incident.
Mane scored the decisive penalty as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties after the game finished 0-0 after extra time.
Associated Press journalist Rob Harris shared pictures on Twitter of Mane posing with VAR official Zourak and one of his assistants Karboubi.
“This is an absolute no-no,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The stars in football matches are the players. As an official you to have be seen to be nuetral, completely nuetral.
“This action by this official, an experienced referee, is unacceptable.
“For me, I would be saying you’re not going to anywhere near that team in the future, albeit at the international level. I would be suggesting that their career might be over.
“I know of cases after the match in the referee’s dressing room a player has come in and complimented the referee and handed a shirt over. It’s very, very rare that happens.
“Generally this is a no-no. It gives a picture of a lack of integrity from the match officials.
“I don’t know what’s gone off in the match but that’s the danger for sure.”
Mane and Mohamed Salah will link back up with Liverpool this week after the AFCON final.
The Reds are next in action on Thursday (10 February) when they host Leicester City in the Premier League.
In other news, Liverpool are holding talks over a February deal after personal terms are agreed.