CAF officials argue that the Beninese referee did not take any action against Faouzi Chaouchi, the Algerian keeper, who head-butted him in the semi final of the AFCON 2010. Chaouchi was only given a yellow card for his confrontation with the referee.

Codjia, who has been shortlisted for the MTN sponsored FIFA World Cup 2010 due for South Africa in June, did not put the incident in his match report, in a game that the Pharaohs of Egypt bashed the Fennecs of Algeria 4-0.

The Algerian goalkeeper was enraged by the way in which Egypt’s Hosni Rabo ran up to the ball, stopped and feigned his penalty shot before stroking it easily into the net of Chaouchi.

Codjia awarded the goal and Chaouchi chased after the referee, grabbing him from behind and turning him around and appeared to butt him. The keeper was quickly dragged away by team mates.

Other observers say the penalty awarded to Egypt was not merited. Former Cameroonian-born International referee, Jean-Marie Endong Zogo, told journalists in Cameroon that the contact the Egyptian attacker had with the Algerian defender was normal. “The Egyptian attacker deceived the referee,” Zogo said.

Another referee said to be questionable at AFCON 2010 is South Africa Jerome Dermont, who handled the Cameroon – Egypt game.

Codjia has been to two World Cups and many AFCON final phases.