SOUSSE - South African referee Daniel Bennett was attacked after Royal Armed Forces of Morocco were denied a stoppage time goal in the African Confederation Cup second leg match against Etoile Sahel of Tunisia on Saturday.

Etoile Sahel, runners-up in the African Champions League in 2004 and last year, won on away goals after drawing the first leg 1-1 in Rabat last month.

Bennett and his linesman Toko Malebo were attacked by the furious visitors after a close-in effort from Brahim El Bahri was disallowed for offside.

Several Royal Armed Forces players rushed at Malebo as he flagged the goal offside, pushing and shoving him before security officials came to his rescue.

Fighting erupted between both benches and policemen on the side of the pitch before Bennett was also set upon by the Moroccan team. Security was quickly resorted as a cordon was created around the officials, but the game stopped for five minutes before calm was restored.

During that time Royal Armed Forces players continued their protestations at the officials and one was kicked by a security official. Television replays showed that the decision by the linesman was correct.

The game restarted for just 60 seconds before Bennett blew the final whistle and was quickly surrounded by security officials as the Moroccans sought to set upon him again.

In the first half, Moroccan international goalkeeper Tarek Jarmouni made two fine stops to keep out the home side while Royal Armed Forces' midfielder Jaouad Ouaddouch squandered a good chance for his side midway through the second half. - Reuters