Fingers pointed at 'negligent' Tau after Al Ahly loss

Fingers have been pointed at Percy Tau whose actions were reportedly labelled as "negligent" after Al Ahly's semi-final defeat at the FIFA Club World Cup. 

Jhon Arias converted from the spot in the 71st minute to give Brazilian side Fluminense a one-goal advantage in the tie on Monday night, before a 90th minute strike by John Kennedy knocked the Egyptian giants out of the tournament, ending their dreams of playing in a first CWC final. 

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The South America side's first goal came after former Real Madrid star Marcelo was brought down in the box by Tau, and former Egyptian association football referee Gehad Grisha has insisted it was the correct decision. 

"Marcelo's penalty kick? It is a negligence by Percy Tau on Marcelo's foot that caused the disability," the 47-year-old said on an Egyptian television broadcast of the match, per Btolat. 

"The penalty kick was corrected in favour of Fluminense and the Brazilian. The arena referee was in an excellent position."

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Akram Tawfiq both had chances to score earlier on in the game, but could not find the back of the net. 

Tau was also among those who had chances. He was free in the penalty area when he received an  accurate delivery from Hussein El Shahat, but the former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker headed the ball straight to opposition keeper Fabio. 

"The first half, Al Ahly Club played an excellent match, and had many chances," former Fluminense coach Paulo Campos said, via El Balad.

"Percy Tau had a great chance to score the equalizer. Brazilian football is good, but Al Ahly club played an excellent match in the second half.

"Al Ahly's physical fitness declined in the second half, and Fluminense was able to score the first goal, after the referee awarded a penalty kick.

"Congratulations to Egyptian football, and congratulations to Al Ahly Club. God willing, it will be the best in the upcoming tournaments, and God willing, it will get third place in the Club World Cup." 

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