Australian-based ref targeted online, ‘aggressive’ journalists banned in ugly aftermath to Asian Cup drama

The fallout to the drama surrounding Jordan’s surprise 3-2 Asian Cup win over Iraq has continued, with “aggressive” journalists banned after unpleasant scenes in a post-match press convention while Football Australia has thrown its guide behind an under-fire referee.

The Asian Football Confederation on Tuesday banned the “aggressive” journalists who confronted train Jesus Casas following Iraq’s defeat in the ultimate sixteen of the Asian Cup.

Casas’s Iraq conceded two desires deep in stoppage time in a surprise 3-2 defeat to lower-ranked Jordan in Qatar on Monday.

In the post-match press conference some Iraqi journalists pointed and shouted at the Spaniard, and approached him at the the front of the room, earlier than being ushered out through security.

“The AFC strongly condemns any kind of unruly and aggressive behaviour and takes a zero-tolerance stance in opposition to such actions,” the governing physique for football in the vicinity said.

The AFC “have taken the swift choice to bar the accountable persons from covering no longer only the Asian Cup (in) Qatar but additionally future AFC tournaments”, it added in the statement.

The overall performance of Iranian-Australian referee Alireza Faghani, who used to be born in Iran however is known as an Australian healthy official, also got here underneath the spotlight for his decision to ship off Aymen Hussein for over-celebrating.

The striker thinking he had gained the recreation for Iraq with his aim in the 76th minute and sat on the ground mimicking eating — simply as the Jordan players had after scoring.

Hussein was given a yellow card for it and sent off, and Jordan went on to score twice to attain the quarter-finals.

Angry Iraq fans rounded on Faghani on social media.

Football Australia stated in a announcement to Australian Associated Press that it is “in constant contact with Alireza and is supplying he and his family with all the guide they require”.

“Football Australia is additionally working with e-Safety and relevant regulation enforcement organizations on this matter,” FA added.

The AFC did no longer title him however said in the identical statement that “we strongly condemn any shape of threat, harassment, or disclosure of private information focused on our referees, players, officials and all stakeholders”.