Afcon viewers in disbelief at 'worst referee decision they've ever seen'
AFRICA CUP OF NATION viewers were left in disbelief after Nicolas Pepe was booked for diving after being wiped out.
The former Arsenal striker started for Ivory Coast against Senegal in the round of 16.
2
Habib Diallo gave Senegal the lead after four minutes, but the Ivorians pressed for an equalizer.
And they were initially denied the chance after Pepe was completely wiped out by ex-Chelsea stopper Edouard Mendy.
Replays showed Pepe tapping the ball over Mendy before it was cleared from his feet.
Amazingly, the on-field referee failed to give the stone wall penalty.
He even did BOOKED Pepe for the dive – leaving fans in disbelief.
One said: “It's worrying that the referee didn't see this as a penalty.”
Another added: “Booking Pepe for diving there might be the worst referee decision I've ever seen.”
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
One raged: “One of the worst referee decisions ever. Truly unbelievable. VAR saves the day.”
Another raged: 'The fact that he booked the Ivory Coast player to go diving there is possibly the worst decision I have ever seen.'
One simply asked: “Is the referee angry??”
Fortunately, the decision was overturned by VAR and Franck Kessie equalized from the spot.
The host country had the wind in their sails after the equalizer, but could not find a winner as the match went down to penalties.
Nottingham Forest's Moussa Niakhate missed his penalty for Senagal in an otherwise perfect shootout.
And Kessie stepped up again to set up Mendy and send Ivory Coast into the quarters of the raucous Charles Konan Banny Stadium.