The Algerian referee trio composed of Mustapha Ghorbal, Abdelhak Etchiali and Mokran Gourari who officiated brilliantly during the Qatar-2022 World Cup (November 20-December 18), was honored by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).
“On the sidelines of the monthly statutory meeting of the Federal Bureau of the Algerian Football Federation, which took place on Sunday December 25, 2022, the President, Djahid Zefizef, and the members of the BF, paid a vibrant tribute to the Algerian refereeing trio who officiated brilliantly at the FIFA World Cup – Qatar 2022,” the body said on its official website.
Draped in their beautiful gray suits with the FIFA badge, Mustapha Ghorbal, and his two assistants, Abdelhak Etchiali and Mokrane Gourari, were honored by the president and the members of the federal office who congratulated them on their long journey, punctuated very nicely during the last Qatari World Cup, according to the same source.
A special tribute was paid to assistant referee Etchiali who decided to retire the day after the World Cup, for which it is the third participation after those of 2014 in Brazil and 2018 in Russia, and after a long and rich career of very high level.
As a reminder, the trio of Algerian referees officiated two matches in the 1st round of the 2022 World Cup, namely Netherlands-Ecuador (1-1) and Australia-Denmark (1-0), before Ghorbal continued the adventure as 4th referee during the match of the round of 16 between Croatia and Japan then the summit of the quarters having opposed Croatia to Brazil.