CAIRO: Egyptian referee Essam Abdel-Fattah implied that he refused to let Angola winger Felisberto “Gilberto Amaral kiss him on the cheek because he thinks such an act could lead to accusations of favoritism.
Abdel-Fattah was spotted when he leaned his head back, refusing to let the Ahly player kiss him on the cheek as a warm greeting before the kickoff.
The international referee smiled at Gilberto afterwards, and the latter didn t seem to be upset.
A kiss on the cheek could well be misinterpreted before the game, Abdel-Fattah said.
I talked to Gilberto during the break, and he has no problem with my attitude, he added.
Abdel-Fattah signaled for two penalty kicks for hosts Angola in their 4-4 draw with Mali on Sunday.
