2022 World Cup Qualifier: FIFA to rule on South Africa’s appeal against Ghana
World football governing body, FIFA will at the end of Tuesday rule in the appeal lodged by South Africa over its defeat in Ghana in the last match day 6 of the 2022 World Cup Africa qualifiers.
South Africa Football Association (SAFA) had lodged an appeal after the match against Ghana in which it lost by a lone goal courtesy of a controversial penalty converted by Andre Ayew to hand the West African nation the last remaining ticket to the Third Round or playoffs next year.
Ten countries emerged in the last game of the qualifying series and will be grouped in pairs for the one-leg playoffs, which draws will be made later in the year.
However, South Africa cited professional misconduct and poor officiating against the Senegalese centre referee Maguette Ndiaye in their appeal, last week.
SAFA is calling for the Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye to be banned and also ordering for a replay of the game.
At the same time, Ghana Football Association (GFA) weighed into the matter and last week launched a scathing attack at SAFA.
GFA has accused SAFA of blatantly disregarding the rules of protest after the game and called on FIFA to dismiss the frivolous claims.
The GFA is also urging FIFA to impose a huge fine on SAFA for bringing the World Cup brand and its reputation into disrepute.
Portions of the letter read: “It is very clear that the request by the South African Football Association in their second letter that – “We will be forwarding all the relevant documents and a detailed complaint within the next 72 hours” – is misplaced and violates the clear FIFA provisions.
“Consequently, we, therefore, call on the respected FIFA Disciplinary Committee to dismiss the purported protest with a punitive fine and a huge cost”.
The Ghana FA finally described SAFA’s protest as a fishing expedition with no merit.
FIFA has received the both statements from the two associations and will release the verdict by close of day.
FIFA is expected to penalize the match official if found guilty of misconduct. It can also either throw out the appeal or order the replay.
