Drama as Referee losses consciousness, falls ill during Cote D’Ivoire vs Ethiopia match

There was a mild drama during the CAF’s African Cup of Nations Qualifier match between Ivory Coast and Ethiopia after the central referee lost consciousness and fell ill while the match was still ongoing.

The cause of the sudden illness was yet to be disclosed as at the time of filing this report.

But it was gathered that the referee, Charles Bolu, fell ill in the 80th minute.

No referee could replace him, as the 4th referee was an Ivorian and couldn’t officiate a match involving his country.

The match ended 3-1 at the 80th minute with a win for Cote d’Ivoire.

Many football analysts are challenging the outcome adding it should have been declared inconclusive.

“I think this is contrary to the FIFA rules & regulations, if it’s not there’s need of amendment.

“There’s no win in this circumstance, yet the rules provides for 90 minutes of determining the winner,” Rogers Ishimwe, a sport freak wrote on social media.

However, some others are of the opinion that the decision to award the win to the Ivorians is fair since over 70 per cent of the game have been played.

“Over 70% of the match has been played. Rules states it can be ended,” a social media user and football analyst who goes by the handle @ThaKings wrote.