Tunisia have launched an appeal against yesterday’s Africa Cup of Nations defeat to Mali.
Mali were 1-0 up through Ibrahima Kone’s spot-kick when referee Janny Sikazwe blew the final whistle early.
The Zambian official blew the final whistle after just 85 minutes before restarting play for four minutes, but blew again with just 89 minutes and 43 seconds of the clash gone.
That was despite lengthy VAR checks for Kone’s penalty and a Tunisia spotkick that Wahbi Khazri missed, which were expected to see added time added on at the end of the game.
Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba’s post-match press conference was later interrupted as it was announced the final three minutes of the game would be played.
About 40 minutes later the Mali players and officials returned to the pitch but the Tunisian players refused as they had reportedly already had their ice baths. Manchester United midfielder Hannibal entered at halftime for Tunisia for his tournament debut.
Tunisia’s refusal to return to play the remainder of the game led to Sikazwe blowing his whistle once again to call off the match, meaning the 1-0 victory for Mali stands for now.
