International referee Glenn Nyberg formally apologized to the Moroccan and Jordanian fans following the controversy that accompanied the match between the two teams, affirming his understanding of the feelings of anger and frustration that prevailed after the encounter.
Nyberg, in a statement addressed to the fans, explained that the pressures associated with refereeing were present during the match, noting that he chose to allow the continuity of play and avoid numerous foul calls, which led to overlooking some infractions that should have been penalized, especially in cases of strong physical contact.
The referee admitted that some of the "small" decisions were not clear and contributed to an impression of unfairness, while at the same time asserting that he had no intention of favoring any side, neither the Moroccan nor the Jordanian team, and that all his decisions were based on what he saw on the field.
Nyberg added: "What we see during the match is not always perfect," offering his apologies to any player who felt unprotected, and to every fan who considered that the match was not managed in the manner it deserved. He stressed that football "has no value without its fans", considering this match as a lesson for him to evolve and improve his performance in the future.
The referee's apology comes amidst a wave of criticism that accompanied the match, amid public demands to review the refereeing performance and enhance the use of assistive technologies to ensure fairness on the field.
