Back to the Top News Newsfeed

Mali-Tunisia ref at AFCON ends match early, sparking suspicion, controversy and chaos

Global soccer is riddled with suspicious activity. But never has the sport's highest level seen what it saw during the Mali-Tunisia match at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.

With five-plus minutes remaining in a group-stage match between Tunisia and Mali, a referee tried to end it for no apparent reason.

Then, after protests, chaos and continuation, he tried to end it early again.

Some 20 minutes later, the Confederation of African Football attempted to restart the match. Officials reportedly barged into Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba's news conference and tried to bring the two teams back out to the field.