Ali Bujsaim will be putting Senegal's officials in his report

The bad-tempered match turned on a crucial decision, when Tunisia's Mehdi Nafti stole the ball from Senegal striker El Hadji Diouf.

Nafti went on to orchestrate the only goal, passing to Ziad Jaziri whose cross fell for Jawhar Mnari to head home.

But the Senegalese insisted Diouf had been fouled earlier in the move and their protests suspended play for several minutes.

However, Bujsaim inisted that he was "certain" his decision to allow play to continue was correct.

"There was no foul on El Hadji Diouf," he said.

"I think it was simulation and then there were several passes before the goal."

Report

Bujsaim was critical of players on both sides for their behaviour.

As well as a pitch invasion by Senegal officials after the goal, Teranga Lions goalkeeper Tony Sylva at one point kicked a ball hard at an advertising hoarding shielding pitchside photographers and Tunisian ball-boys, and there were several melees involving a number of players.

At one stage, Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre was forced to intervene to prevent Diouf from charging towards the hosts' bench.

"I have never seen anything like it," said the Emirati official.

"It is a great blow for fair play. Players on both sides were not very co-operative.

Everyone is responsible when violence occurs Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre

"The Senegalese were too nervous in the match and the security officials were not successful in clearing the pitch of the invaders.

"It wasn't for me to do their job for them but I tried to finish the match without distributing too many yellow cards."

Bujsaim, who said he was not touched during the altercation with the Senegal staff, said he would be including the incident in his report.

Yet Senegal boss Guy Stephan said he felt the match had been decided by an "error".

"I've seen the television pictures, which are quite clear, there was indeed a foul and the team stopped playing," he said.

"We lost on that throw of the dice. It's a shame."

Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre said that refereeing was "not easy" and he believed Bujsaim had "made his decisions from his soul and conscience."

And he admitted that the last 20 minutes of the game had not done either side any credit.

"I'm not pointing the finger at anyone - everyone is responsible when violence occurs," he said.

"It's regrettable."

Tunisian substitute Najeh Brahem went further however.

"It's incredible that they behaved that way," he said of the Senegal protests.

"I did not expect that from a team of professionals."