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Cup Champion Esperance Into the Record Books

July 5th, 2008 | By: Rami | 31 Comments »

Yesterday was supposed to be a celebration. Instead the Tunisian Cup final was mired in controversy due to poor officiating, supporters incapable of accepting a bitter defeat, and a police force that added fuel to the fire by verbally insulting the traveling contingent of Etoile fans and using force on them disproportionately. The riots that followed were a sad way to punctuate what should have been a festive occasion.

Many want to talk about the referee and whether this match was bought. Match fixing exists in soccer but there will be no conclusive proof that such a thing occurred. The whole idea of bringing in foreign referees is so we can totally skip that discussion. We’re not just talking about any referee either, Florian Meyer has a solid CV (champions league, euro cup etc.) That said, he had a terrible game. No one, not even Esperance fans would argue that fact. Besides the questionable goal decisions he didn’t let advantage play out a lot of time and also lost control of the players. Let’s get the big calls out of the way before we talk about the players:

1. Esperance’s first goal was 100% valid.

2. Etoile’s equalizer was a foul on Kasaroui and was scored with Jmel’s hand. Florian Meyer let it stand.

3. The Gilson Silva goal is one I still don’t have a conclusive answer for. The announcers said it was considered offside even though there was a defender on the post because at the time the ball was played Hamdi Kasraoui was ahead of it. Apparently when the goalie is ahead of the ball, there needs to be two defenders holding the striker onside at the time the ball is played. I’m not an authority on this but if that is in fact in the rules of the game then Florian Meyer was correct to take it away.

4. Chermiti was one on one with Chaabani, who was the last defender, when he was taken down outside the box. This could have been a red card for Chaabani. Instead Etoile just got a free kick.

5. Ben Dhifallah’s goal should not have been wiped off. The linesman said it was a handball but the referee should not have trusted this decision. This came at a crucial point in the second half and it is understandable that Etoile fans reacted angrily towards it.

6. No question about Aboucherouane’s second.

Keep your head up Amine 7. Nafkha looked to have fouled an Esperance player in the box in the second half. No penalty was given.

8. The long distance equalizer at the very end of the match occurred when Radhouane Felhi fouled Hamdi Kasraoui in mid air. Some people might call it incidental contact but when I saw the replay I found it to be a sound decision.

So out of the three refused Etoile goals, one of them was valid and the other two are question marks. It’s a shame this doubt has overshadowed the match itself. Etoile fans feel robbed and I understand their frustration but all you have to do is go back one week to the Semi final where the same team was on the receiving end of a huge refereeing gift (the Stade Tunisien goal that was wrongly taken away for an imaginary offside).

Ask a ST fan and they’ll tell you it’s karma since they feel they should have been in the final. I’m not saying this to provoke anyone from Sousse or the Sahel. I just want to point out that there’s always an alternate perspective and that everyone at one point or another can benefit from bad calls. Finally, a referee making multiple mistakes does not necessarily mean he was paid off. If he was then how can one explain that the first Etoile goal came on a handball? To me these errors did not look premeditated.

The acts of violence that occurred after the match are regrettable and disappointing. That’s what happens when you mix questionable calls with upset fans and unprofessional police officers. I heard that the policemen provoked the Etoile supporters and caused the riots. This is just another symptom of regionalism that is plaguing our sport. I don’t blame Etoile fans for feeling like they are targeted. They had to put up with constant harassment on their way from Sousse to Rades so they showed up already quite pissed off. This is a serious problem in Tunisian soccer and more generally in our society as a whole.

Now that we’ve paid sufficient attention to the the disastrous officiating let’s turn our attention to the players themselves. No need to give you a play by play since most of you watched the game or have read about it elsewhere. Instead let me just highlight a few things that are noteworthy:

1. As a neutral supporter with no rooting interest, Esperance looked better over the 90 minutes and deserved to break the record for most Tunisian Cups (12). I haven’t seen them play with such confidence and determination in a long time.

2. Etoile desperately missed Afouane Gharbi and Moussa Narry in midfield. Both are stabilizing influences and it was evident from the very start the Michel Decastel put out a team that was offensively talented but not as adept at stealing the ball back.

Eneramo 3. Eneramo seems to have a magical ability of making the ball stick to his feet. Even when he is shoved and has his shirt pulled, he somehow manages to come away with it more often than not. He takes home the golden boot for finishing the Cup run with five goals to his name.

4. Amine Chermiti was a factor even though he didn’t get many shots on goal. He really should have finished the match with at least one assist to his name but Nafkha misjudged the his beautiful chip pass that split the defense wide open after he dazzled his marker with multiple step overs. If Nafkha had controlled that, we could be talking about a whole other game. Will this loss affect Chermiti’s transfer status? The rumor was that if Etoile won the cup, Chermiti’s chances of leaving would be greater…

5. Both keepers were sub par. I’m a Balbouli guy but he really could have done better on the first Esperance goal which was well within his grasp. Kasraoui continues to show that he is not good at judging the trajectory of the ball on crosses and shots from long distance.

you go left, i go right 6. Cabral stated the obvious when he said Aboucherouane was the difference maker. Hard to believe that the Moroccan was an injury doubt leading upto the final. His first goal was a trademark lefty strike from around forty yards out while the second was astounding because it was so well placed for a man who’s not known for shooting with his right foot. Credit him for being clever enough to surprise the Etoile defense who were shading his left all game.

7. The word out of the ESS camp was that despite arriving late from Benin, Muri Ogunbyi, was playing well enough in training to earn a starting place in the final. After seeing him yesterday though, Decastel might be ruing the decision to include him. The Ivorian, Toure, looked dangerous when he came on in the end (denied a goal by a reflex save from Kasraoui). If Etoile could do it over again, I think they would put him in from the start in place Ogunbyi who is on his way to Guingamp in France.

8. When Etoile was trying to fightback to equalize the ball went into the stands and there was no replacement! Where were the ballboys?

9. After the win, Chaabani confirmed the rumor of his move to Turkey. He says that deal is 90 percent complete.

10. The Cup is supposed to be handed by the President but he was not there. The Prime Minister gave it away instead.

11. An interesting moment of kindness between the assistant coach of Esperance, Maher Kanzari, and the President of the FTF, Tahar Sioud, at the end of the game. Sioud was furious with Kanzari for leaving the U17 national team after their great performance in South Korea last summer but thing looked better yesterday as him and Kanzari traded a customary two kisses on the cheek. Maybe I’m reading to much into it but it stood out to me.

flying chairs In the end this match should have been a lot more fun to watch. I enjoyed it just because there was so much drama but the referee really ruined the flow of the game by relying too much on his whistle. There could have been more fans as well but things kicked off at 5:00 PM when it was still blistering hot.

In retrospect this might be better since the riots could have been bloodier under the cover of night. A happy ending for Esperance fans and a disappointing one for Etoile fans but ultimately a day in which many of Tunisia’s societal problems were put on display.

Congratulations to Esperance on their historic achievement. Better luck to Etoile. The rivalry continues in the CAF Confederation Cup. Let’s hope there’s we see some fair play at that encounter. Somehow I doubt it though…

More Pictures

Here and here.

The Goals That Were Taken Away

Gilson Silva goal, Mehdi Ben Dhifallah goal (confirmed my opinion that it should have been valid), final refused goal (still questionable, could have gone either way).

The Goals

Final Coupe de Tunisie (ESS 1 # 2 EST) 05 07 2008
Uploaded by TARAJICONNECTION

Tags: Aboucherouane, Coupe de Tunisie 2008, Esperance, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, ESS, EST, Etoile, Etoile Sportive du Sahel, Florian Meyer, Group H

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 31 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By al | July 5th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

Congratulations to Taraji (and those of you who support Tarai, Marwen?) and hard luck to Etoile (Rachid?).

I heard things went crazy after the game. Caes on fire. Two dead and 50 injured …

Hopefully next time things will be better.

I did not watch the game but I think referees’ mistakes are part of the game. I think a German referee would have done his best and I do not imagine he did any wrong call intentionally.

Posted from Turkey

By Rachid | July 5th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

Those “Market Dogs” from Bab Souika do not deserve the Cup! They stole it! Enough is enough of this bullshit!!!!

By Skander | July 5th, 2008 at 6:30 pm

To all the nay sayers: EST rulz!!! Better luck next time ESS…

Posted from Australia

By Mehdi | July 5th, 2008 at 7:05 pm

What Guys? Two dead, and several cars on fire? you gotta be kidding? any official updates on this? Man! So sad that we are only good at fighting among each other , fellow Tunisians.. but against British Hooligans in Marseille we sucked. Let’s cut this bullshit and unite under one star and one croissant! Viva Taraji Viva Tunisie.

Posted from United States

By al | July 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

so like Slim Chiboub predicted:

The championship went to the cartier Bab Jedid and the cup went to the cartier Bab Souika

Posted from Turkey

By Achraf | July 5th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

al, how did you hear about the two deaths and the injuries.

Posted from United States

By Rachid | July 6th, 2008 at 11:48 am

Take a look at this article in assabah.com and see for yourselves how biased things are even at the national level! Not even a single mention of the goals that were taken away from l’Etoile!!! How can garbage like this gets printed by a reputable newspaper? The stooge who wrote this should be ashamed of himself. What a very sad state of affairs!

http://www.assabah.com.tn/pop_article.php?ID_art=11931

هوامش…
مهزلة تحكيمية

شكل التحكيم نقطة سوداء في الدور النهائي للكأس، حيث كان مردود الحكم الألماني فلوريان مايار ضعيفا للغاية بقرارات مضحكة في بعض الأحيان وخاصة عند احتسابه لهدف التعادل لفائدة النجم الساحلي رغم تعمد عمار الجمل اسكان الكرة بقبضة يده في شباك الترجي!

أماكن شاغرة

سجلنا امس بملعب 7 نوفمبر برادس بمناسبة لقاء الدور النهائي بكأس تونس وجود العديد من الأماكن الشاغرة، ولم يكن الحضور الجماهيري قياسيا كما كان منتظرا.

اول حكم الماني يدير نهائي كأس تونس

لئن ادار العديد من الحكام الأجانب ادوارا نهائية لكاس تونس، فانه لاول مرة يدير طاقم تحكيم الماني نهائي كاس تونس وهذا الطاقم يتكون من فلوريان مايار كحكم ساحة وهولغرهنشل ونوربارغودرنسكي كمساعدين

علما بان الحكم الرابع كان التونسي محمد المدب ومراقب اللقاء محمد صالح بن ميلاد.

ملتقطو الكرة من النجم الرادسي

اداني النجم الرادسي كانوا امس في الموعد بملعب 7 نوفمبر برادس حيث اوكلت لهم مهمة التقاط الكرة وقد حملوا ازياء زرقاء.

ثالث نهائي لسهيل بالراضية

لاعب النجم الساحلي سهيل بالراضية خاض امس النهائي الثالث على التوالي بما انه لعب في نهائي 2006/2005 مع الترجي الرياضي وفي نهائي 2007/2006 مع النادي البنزرتي وفي هذا الموسم مع النجم الساحلي

تبادل الورود بين الشعباني والفالحي

قبل انطلاق اللقاء تبادل قائدا الفريقين معين الشعباني ورضوان الفالحي باقات الورود تحت انظار الحكم الالماني فلوريان ماياز

اول ركنية بعد 5 دقائق

اول ركنية في اللقاء احرزها النجم الساحلي في الدقيقة الخامسة لكن لم تات باي جديد.

عيون تركية على ابوشروان

حضر امس بملعب رادس مبعوثون من فرق تركية لمعاينة لاعب الترجي الرياضي ابوشروان الذي كان بحق رجل المباراة والذي بكل تاكيد سيتلقى العديد من العروض الاخرى.

المباراة الرسمية الاولى لدي كاستال

مباراة الدور النهائي كانت امس المباراة الرسمية الاولى للمدرب السويسري ميشال دي كاستال مع النجم الساحلي وكانت الاولى غير موفقة بما ان فريق جوهرة الســـــاحل انهزم امـــــس امام الترجـــي بثنائية (2-1).

واقصاء في اواخر اللقاء

في الدقائق الأخيرة من اللقاء تشنجت اعصاب لاعبي النجم الساحلي ومدربهم دي كاستال الذي اقصاه الحكم الالماني عن الميدان

النهائي الرابع بين الفريقين

خاض امس النجم الساحلي والترجي الرياضي برادس النهائي الرابع بينهما بعد نهائي 1957 و1959 و1991 وقد كانت الغلبة للترجي الرياضي للمرة الثالثة في هذه المواجهات.

حركة غير لائقة

بعد ان أحرز النجم الساحلي هدف التعادل في الدقيقة 18 بواسطة عمار الجمل الذي استعمل قبضة يده لادخال الكرة توجه لاعب النجم امين الشرميطي نحو جماهير الترجي وقام بحركة استفزازية غير لائقة لاسكات جماهير الترجي.

احتجاج

أثار عدم الاعلان عن اقتران الهدف الذي عدّل به النجم الساحلي النتيجة (1-1) في الدقيقة 18 بلمسة يد من طرف عمار الجمل الذي أسكن الكرة الشباك بقبضة يده خلال النقل التلفزي المباشر احتجاج أنصار الترجي الرياضي المتواجدين بملعب رادس، حيث تأكدوا عند اتصالهم بواسطة الهاتف الجوال بمن كانوا يتابعون المباراة أمام الشاشة الصغيرة بأن الحكم ظلمهم ولكن التلفزة لم تنصفهم ولم تعلن بصريح العبارة عن عدم شرعية الهدف!

الثنائية الأولى بإمضاء لاعب أجنبي

الثنائية الأولى التي امضاها لاعب الترجي الرياضي هشام أبوشروان أمس هي الثنائية الاولى للاعب أجنبي في نهائي كأس تونس، والثنائية العاشرة في تاريخ الادوار النهائية.

ثلاثة تغييرات للترجي

قام الترجي الرياضي أمس بثلاث تغييرات حيث أقحم المدرب كابرال زين العابدين السويسي في 68د مكان سيف الله المحجوبي ووسام البكري مكان خليل شمام 77د وبلال يكن مكان أسامة الدراجي في 86د.

… وتعويض وحيد للنجم

فيما قام النجم الساحلي بتغيير واحد طيلة المباراة حيث أقحم المدرب ديكاستال توري كاراموكو في 88د مكان أوغمبيي.

كويلهو في الموعد

المدرب الجديد للمنتخب الوطني كويلهو كان أمس في الموعد بملعب 7 نوفمبر برادس وتابع مباراة الدور النهائي والأكيد أنه دوّن الكثير من المعلومات.

كراس مهشمة

بعد أن تمكن الترجي الرياضي من تسجيل الهدف الثاني، صبّ أحبّاء النجم الساحلي جام غضبهم على كراسي ملعب 7 نوفمبر برادس فهشموا عددا منها.

By sophia | July 6th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

ok guys enough, they are all losers, the game was so boring and sub-standard that i put Max and Amy instead at least there is no haters there!!!
ESS you could have done better, i LOVE you though.. ! and we will always support you as long as you keep up the hard work.
EST happy now???????????? by the way where in hell they got that idiot of a referee ?
was he on sale? or clearanced ? oh sorry i think he was a gift with purchase!
have a great day people, and take it easy……

By sonia | July 6th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

hello people
to help the ESS and the club African to get over this loss i will donate 2 sippy cups that glow in the dark and sing i think EST cup is a plain boring one i saw on TV .THE SIPPY CUPS WE MADE JUST FOR YOU ARE MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!
HAPPY NOW!

By Momo | July 6th, 2008 at 12:49 pm

I personally think that Esperance deserved their title. They looked more ready and focused than Etoile. I think the goals Etoile scored were not goals. The only one that’s a bit questionable is the one Ben Dhifallah scored. It was tough to call it a handball, at least from the replay angle. The ref did an OK job. The game had too many stop and go’s, but I don’t think that’s the ref’s problem. It’s the players who commited too many fouls, and never really calmed down and passed the ball around. I think Esperance is very lucky to have a player like Aboucherouane (I don’t know how they signed him in the first place?)..I think he’s well above the competition in Tunisia, and his place is definitely somewhere in Spain or England. Esperance can possibly make some big bucks if they sell him now. I really like how balanced this Esperance side is, and if they keep playing like this, next year’s league title will probably be heading to Bab Souika.

By al | July 6th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

about the two dead and the broken car shields, check the pictures here:

http://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=10708541

Posted from Turkey

By marwen | July 6th, 2008 at 1:44 pm

i was thinking about maybe watching a match but now i think i have changed my mind
the fans are too crazy

By al | July 6th, 2008 at 6:15 pm

Here another link from Assabahstating that part of the forest in Rades was put on fire:

http://www.assabah.com.tn/pop_article.php?ID_art=11930

Posted from Turkey

By Rami | July 6th, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Alright guys, the update is up. Let’s try and keep it as friendly as possible around here. What I’ve loved most about this blog so far is that everyone has been united behind one Tunisian flag rather than getting into regionalistic arguments. Healthy debate is what we’re looking for as long as there’s mutual respect. I feel for Etoile and am happy for Esperance. Best of luck to both teams in their upcoming encounter in the CAF Confed Cup.

By Fahd | July 7th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

As we can see there is a lot going on in the peoples mind. We can see that a police State such as Tunisia claiming to have democracy has failed completetly to surpress the Tunisians.

It seems that the only way of expressing the angre of the people is by using Football as an excuse. I do not Blame them at all. Because in Tunisia you survive if you are Goubzizt and nothing else. You are allowed to talk about everything exept politics and Religion. No wonder BIG ALL was not present during the game, he probably sensed the atmosphere and got the hell out of there.

I deeply hope that we remain unied and fight fo rthe same cause and fight for our rights. It seems that politicis is not doing anything about these issues as it ould distract the public form the real problems concerning the Economy and human rights.

Rami I very much like your reporting but I would like to ask you to always be open and free in bringing us the truth and nothing by the truth!!! Chiboub has a lot of strings in he Fifa and even UEFA and he has most definitely influence in our BELOVED TUNISIA!!

I would say to Elnejm Essahli, WE SHOULD NOT FOCUS ON THE DOMESTIC LEAGUE AT ALL. JUST MAKE SURE YOU END THE SECOND IN THE LEAGUE and FOCUS ON THE ARAB AND AFRICAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!! HAS MUCH MORE PRESTIGE AND MONEY THAN THE FAKE LEAGUE WE HAVE IN TUNISIA!!

By Rami | July 7th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

Fahd, I know Chiboub has strings but I’m saying we can’t conclusively prove anything. The game was certainly a strange one but referee mistakes don’t count as proof because they could be just mistakes. Referees mess up all the time, they are human and this is part of the game whether we like it or not. The irony there of course is that since referees make mistakes so much it’s hard to tell whether they were bought or not. With that said, I am not clueless about corruption in our sport or in our country.

I just try to keep things focused on the soccer itself as much as possible. I hope I have not failed any of you in my reporting of this game and what ensued after it. If I have I sincerely apologize. It’s hard to do it all the way from the USA and I do my absolute best without having my “ear to the ground”. I hope you understand my logic and the challenges I face. If there was conclusive proof of a match fixing scandal in Tunisia I would be the first one to talk about it. I know its a sensitive subject and I don’t think its my place to be making allegations left and right with no evidence. I hold myself up to a higher standard than that. Most of you are familiar with the political climate in Tunisia so you know what I’m talking about. I don’t need to go any further. Elfahem Yefhem.

I havent’ censored any of the content of the comments and will not do so. Things remain open and transparent and your freedom of speech is safe here. I only ask that you please understand that I can’t write about something I’m not completely sure about. If that changes in the future, so will my coverage.

I know its hard but don’t allow one match to spoil your love of the game.

Posted from United States

By Abdullah | July 7th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

Rami your proffesionalism is much appreciated, people are just angry about the way its organised, and they tend to get the politics involved.

I think it’t the right thing to keep those 2 seperated, but sometimes we can’t help but to be angry at the man in charge of our country.

(Because… let’s face it, he is not doing a very good job)

Keep doing what you do best Rami we appreciate it very much, and we would hate to see some comments de-motivate you!

Posted from Netherlands

By Rachid | July 7th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

Validity or lack thereof of the Etoile goals – experts view:

http://www.assabah.com.tn/pop_article.php?ID_art=11964

Not that it makes any difference!

Posted from United States

By Rami | July 7th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

3ayshou Abdullah, I appreciate the positive feedback. Constructive criticism is good too though (like Coelho said, hehe). I never turn it down so really if anyone has anything to say I’m always all ears.

Thanks for the link Rachid, it kind of muddies the picture a little further but it shows you that even after the fact and with the help of replays people still disagree. The two refs disagree about the Gilson goal and the last Etoile goal from distance. Like you said, it doesn’t make a difference now but it’s good for us to educate ourselves about the laws of the game. Thanks again.

By Achraf | July 7th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I WILL DO WITHOUT THIS BLOG RAMI, BECAUSE THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE I GET ALL THE NEWS FROM, I SPEAK ARABIC BUT CANT READ AND I AM NOT A VERY GOOD FRENCH SPEAKER(A LITTLE). SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE POSTS AND DONT STOP.

Posted from United States

By Fahd | July 8th, 2008 at 2:43 am

Dear Rami,

Please do not misunderstand me, I am completely with you. I am just saying that despite we want to seperate sports form soccer it is still not possible due to the politic situation that is inlfuencing it.

I do not recall in the past a regionalism war in the past. There was of course rivalry but within the concept of sport values (some exceptions). These days it seems that football is being used as the Arena to express your anger on the public situation. We should not close our eyes and start bra belling about a referee here and there.

Anyway Rami, I also agree with abdullah to not involve politics in this Weblog and try to minimize it as much as possible, but if it is clear that there is something wrong which is influencing football than I believe this should be openly discussed as well.

Ani ngheir 3la bledi that is all, I do not want to have a situation similar to Morocoo or Algeria where they discrimination amongst eachother. This is the last thing I want especially knowing our situation living in the west as Minorities.Sahli Gabsi Bizerti Sfaxi etc etc kulna 3rab twensa moeslimien!!!!! That why I always comment on this Web log when I see profound language addressed to each other. THIS IS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS!!!

Ok let’s end with something positive, TUNISIA has Talent and this should be protected and educated. Tunisia needs to play attacking football in the current formation@

4-2-3-1!!!

Rami again thank you for your excellent work and hope you understand my point!!!

By Rami | July 8th, 2008 at 7:07 am

No worries Fahd, we’re on the same page. I see where you’re coming from and appreciate your stance against discrimination and regionalistic hatred. Talking about it is the only way to raise awareness about its negative effects.

Ma femma 7atta moushkla 5ouya. I did not take offense to your earlier comment, I just wanted to clarify my position. In the end, we’re both just trying to do our best to cope with these delicate issues. We don’t always have to agree (even though in this case I think we do). Thanks to everyone for being honest and forthcoming with your opinion. That’s how we get the most out of this space after all.

By skander | July 10th, 2008 at 3:15 pm

Vive Najm el sa7li!!!!! Reste toujours mon équipe!! :D:D

Posted from Sweden

By Hany Olama | July 11th, 2008 at 2:56 pm

What goes around comes around Etoile fans. You won ACL with the referees’ help (not one but two matches, remember Barakat denied penalty?) now you got screwed by the referee in the cup final.

http://www.el-ahly.com/Sitemanager/templates/champ_news.aspx?articleid=8963&zoneid=44

and a Very warm welcome from Highlanders from Zimbabwe, don’t worry we’ll beat them fro you