Haitham Guirat, who officiated at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has been suspended indefinitely by the Tunisian Football Federation after a major officiating error in a domestic league match
The decision to suspend the Tunisian referee was confirmed on Monday following widespread criticism of his performance in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1.
Officials described the incident as a serious refereeing mistake, prompting immediate disciplinary action aimed at safeguarding the integrity of league games. Details of the exact error have not been fully disclosed.
Guirat had been appointed to several high-profile AFCON 2025 matches, including fixtures involving hosts Morocco and others, and also served as a VAR official in key games, roles that have drawn scrutiny amid broader debates about officiating quality at the tournament.
The suspension comes amid a wider refereeing debate at the 2025 AFCON, where several decisions sparked controversy.
Several countries and observers raised concerns about inconsistent officiating decisions throughout the tournament, including in high-stakes matches.
Earlier in the event, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) also dismissed other referees for poor performance, signalling stricter oversight of officiating standards.
Some key match decisions, including a highly controversial disallowed goal in the final, fuelled debates about referee judgment and VAR usage.
Together, these developments highlight how officiating performance has become a focal point of post-tournament discussion in African football.
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