Controversial moments from the Azerbaijani Cup quarter-final second-leg match between Neftchi and Kapaz have been clarified.
According to Idman.biz, the chairman of the AFFA Referees Committee, Frank De Bleeckere, addressed the incidents in a statement to the association’s press service.
De Bleeckere supported the 58th-minute decision made by referee Rashad Ahmadov, explaining: “During Neftchi’s attack, their number 9, Bassala Sambou, advanced with the ball and entered the opponent’s penalty area. At this moment, Kapaz’s number 8, Elmir Taghiyev, engaged in a challenge for possession. After touching the ball, the attacker made medium-intensity contact with the defender’s leg—an open-footed, studs-forward challenge, hitting the upper part of the leg. This act endangered the defender’s safety.
VAR reviewed the incident and supported the referee’s decision to issue a red card for serious foul play. If the contact had been minimal or only a slight brush, a yellow card could have been considered instead.”
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Neftchi secured a 1-0 victory in the match.
Idman.biz
