Bizarre Scenes in AFCON Final As Angry Referee Hands Cards, Whistle to Egyptian Star in Response to Complaints

• Mohamed Salah complained to the match referee a number of times during the AFCON final between Egypt and Senegal
• The Liverpool star began to question the referee’s decision as early as the fourth minute when Senegal were awarded a penalty
• At some point in the game, referee Victor Gomes bizarrely responded to Salah when he attempted to hand him the cards and whistle

South African referee Victor Gomes responded to Mohamed Salah’s complaints bizarrely as he seemingly handed the Egyptian star his cards and whistle while the match was ongoing.

AFCON 2021 final saw Senegal win the title for the very first time in their history as they beat the Pharaohs via a penalty shootout after the tie had ended 0-0 at the end of extra-time.

During the game, Salah had complained a number of times to the match referee who bizarrely handed the Liverpool man all the officiating instruments, as if to say 'would you like to ref the game, pal?’

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Daily Star reports that Salah began questioning the referee’s decision as early as the fourth minute when Senegal were awarded a penalty.

Goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal was on hand to save Mane’s spot-kick, but as both sides continued to complain, referee Gomes was spotted the moment he shunned Salah.

Fans react on Twitter

"That’s code for 'Shut the f*** up'," wrote on fan on social media.

"Fair play to the referee, Salah didn't want any of that," tweeted another.

"Nice one Victor Gomes for flying the South African flag," a third wrote.

The final was eventually settled on penalties when 120 minutes of football failed to separate the two sides.

Mane consoles Salah

Meanwhile, Sadio Mane took some time to console his Liverpool teammate, Mohammed Salah after Senegal triumphed over Egypt to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Liverpool forward was the hero for Senegal, making amends for his earlier penalty miss in the game by scoring the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout after a 0-0 stalemate.

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Mane, who knows all too well about the disappointment of losing in a final having lost in AFCON 2019 to Algeria, was quick to console his Liverpool teammate Salah moments after the fulltime whistle.

Despite clearly buzzing after the winning penalty, the 29-year old could not help but give a word of encouragement to Salah, who was all too willing to listen.

Cameroon win bronze

Sports Brief earlier reported that Cameroon sealed a memorable victory against hard fighting Burkina Faso to win their first African Cup of Nations Bronze medal in fifty years.

The Indomitable Lions came from three goals down to level 3-3 and forced the tie to a penalty shootout before claiming victory.

Victory for Cameroon means the Indomitable Lions have now claimed a first AFCON bronze for the first time since 1972 when they hosted the tournament.