Referee Mahmoud Wafa, known for the controversy surrounding last season's match between Al-Ahly and Ceramica Cleopatra, has once again sparked debate after awarding a contentious penalty during Tuesday's encounter between Wadi Degla and El Qanah.
Wadi Degla faced El Qanah in the third round of the current Egyptian Premier League season, with the match ending in a goalless draw.
Mahmoud Wafa awarded a penalty to Wadi Degla in the 63rd minute after a Wadi Degla player fell inside the penalty area.
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Replays during the match showed that the Wadi Degla player's feet collided with each other, with no foul committed by the El Qanah defender.
Mahmoud Wafa insisted on awarding the penalty without reviewing the incident via VAR technology. The El Qanah goalkeeper saved the penalty kick, and the match concluded in a goalless draw.
It is worth noting that Mahmoud Ashour, the VAR official in last season's Al-Ahly versus Ceramica match, stated in television interviews that Al-Ahly deserved a penalty due to a handball by a Ceramica defender, but referee Mahmoud Wafa insisted on his decision and did not award it.
