JOHANNESBURG // Fifa has received an official complaint from Egypt related to the decision-making process that gave Brazil a late penalty and a 4-3 win at the Confederations Cup. The Egypt defender Ahmed al Muhamadi was sent off for using his right arm to stop a goalbound shot on the line, and Kaka converted the resulting penalty on Monday in Bloemfontein. "The matter of the complaint is about the process which led to the decision to award the penalty and have a red card," a Fifa spokesman, Nicolas Maingot, said today.
"We will come up with a statement on that later on during the day." After Al Muhamadi used his arm to stop the shot from the Brazil captain Lucio, he collapsed as if hurt, holding his head. The English referee Howard Webb first pointed for a corner after play was stopped, but then awarded the penalty and handed out the red card. The Egyptians later claimed that the fourth official used a television replay to make the call and said they would protest the decision. Referees are allowed to consult with their assistants, but the use of television replays is not sanctioned by Fifa. "It (the complaint) relates to the decision process, to that decision," Maingot said. Even if the fourth official was used to make the call, the Brazil coach Dunga was happy with that decision.
"I think that in some moments it's important to have a contribution like this," the former Brazil captain said of the fourth official. "And I think the referee saw that there was no mark on the player's face, so he must have used his hands." Maingot also said he was not aware of an Egyptian threat to boycott the next match against Italy on Thursday in Johannesburg. Because of the loss to Brazil, Egypt need to get at least a point against the World Cup holders Italy to have any chance of advancing to the semi-finals of the eight-team tournament. The Italians rallied to beat the United States 3-1 in the other Group B match on Monday.
* AP
