Tunisia Outraged by Controversial Elimination Stirs Up Scandal

In international competitions, it’s not uncommon for two teams to agree on a result that benefits both, leaving another team in the lurch. A notable instance was in 1982, when Algeria suffered against Germany and Austria, failing to advance past the group stage of the World Cup. Similarly, during Euro 2004, Denmark and Sweden played to a 2-2 draw that eliminated Italy. Fast forward to the Arab Cup 2025, and Tunisia found themselves in a challenging situation, one that could have been avoided with better performance.

Tunisia lost their opening match to Syria (1-0) and managed a draw against Palestine (2-2), earning just one point from two games, while Syria and Palestine collected four points each. In their latest match, Tunisia convincingly defeated Qatar (3-0). However, the other match in the group ended in a lackluster 0-0 draw, featuring minimal action—five shots from each side, with only one on target for Syria and three for Palestine. Post-match, the result allowed both teams to advance to the quarter-finals.

A Controversial Draw

Following the final whistle, both teams celebrated this historic qualification, a significant moment for nations impacted by war, recalling their respective performances in the 2023 Asian Cup. Nevertheless, this arrangement left Tunisia in a difficult position, raising questions about the integrity of the match. Syrian captain Omar Khribin reportedly instructed his teammates not to press their opponents during stoppage time while Palestine focused on maintaining possession in their half.

The match saw numerous stoppages, leading to lost time, prompting many Tunisian commentators to suggest a potential fix. Tunisian analyst Ammar Al-Jamal highlighted this concern, referencing a discussion on Al Kass with former Palestinian player Fahd Al-Atal and former Syrian player Ahmed Azzam. He remarked, “It’s true that we didn’t control our fate, but from the 88th minute, both teams were passing among themselves when they had been attacking against Tunisia and Qatar. Silence in the face of injustice is a form of complicity.” He also referenced the infamous 1982 match between Germany and Austria that cost Algeria dearly.

A heated debate ensued, almost leading to insults. Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi took a more measured stance, expressing regret over his team’s start in the tournament: “We failed to capitalize on our chances against Syria and Palestine. We should have scored more to determine the outcome of those matches. Against Qatar, we showed a different side, but it was too late; our fate was no longer in our hands.” As the Africa Cup of Nations approaches in two weeks, Tunisia is left dissatisfied after this contentious exit, while Palestine and Syria look forward to their quarter-final matchups.