Angolan football giants Petro de Luanda have reportedly lodged a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following their 2-0 defeat to Zimbabwean side Scottland FC in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie on Sunday.

The match was overshadowed by a controversial early dismissal involving goalkeeper Hugo Marques, who was shown a red card just one minute into the encounter. The decision has become the central issue in Petro’s reported complaint against South African referee Abongile Tom.

Petro are unhappy with the officiating and have called on CAF to investigate the handling of the match, with the club reportedly requesting possible disciplinary action if wrongdoing is established.

Goalkeeper Claims Referee Apologised

The controversy intensified after Marques reportedly claimed that Tom apologised to him after the final whistle and acknowledged that the red-card decision had been a mistake.

According to the information provided, the goalkeeper shared the alleged admission in a post on his Instagram account on Monday.

If confirmed, the reported apology could become an important element in Petro’s efforts to have the incident examined by CAF. However, the claim has not been independently verified, and the referee’s account of the incident has not been provided.

The early dismissal left Petro facing a difficult challenge against Scottland FC, who secured a 2-0 victory and gained an advantage ahead of the return leg.

CAF Under Pressure to Respond

Petro’s reported complaint places the spotlight on CAF’s responsibility to uphold officiating standards and ensure that decisions made during continental competitions are properly reviewed when credible concerns are raised.

The governing body’s response will be closely watched, particularly if the complaint is formally registered and the allegations are supported by match footage or other evidence.

For Petro, the immediate task will be to prepare for the return leg while seeking clarity over the disputed decision.

No final ruling or disciplinary action by CAF has been confirmed in the information available.

The controversy has added another talking point to the Champions League campaign, with attention now turning to whether CAF will investigate the incident and what consequences, if any, may follow.

Source;https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2112534744042820011