FIFA has confirmed that South Africa’s protest filed against Ghana did not have merit and has since rejected it
The World’s football governing body has officially rejected South Africa’s protest against Ghana on December 3.
The South Africa Football Association pleaded with FIFA to punish Senegalese referee Maguitta Ndiaye and further ensure that their 2022 World Cup qualifying game against Ghana will be replayed since the Black Stars were aided in the 1-0 win.
However, their case has been thrown out as FIFA insists it did not meet the requirements under article 46 of the Disciplinary Code and article 14 of the Regulations of the Preliminary round of the competition.
“The protest lodged by South Africa has been declared inadmissible by the Disciplinary Committee as it did not meet the requirements foreseen under art. 46 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and art. 14 of the Regulations of the Preliminary Competition of the FIFA World Cup 2022,”
“The decision is subject to appeal,” the FIFA statement read.
Andre Ayew scored the only goal after referee Ndiaye awarded Ghana a penalty after Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey was heckled down in the penalty box but officials from South Africa believed that the referee was manipulated prompting a complaint to Fifa.
They further alleged that a Ghanaian official travelled to Senegal to meet referee Ndiaye before the game.
Although Ghana responded to the allegations on November 20, the official ruling has since not been released.
However, reports in the local media indicate that FIFA has rejected all the allegations leveled against Ghana and the referee and therefore, there will not be any replay as earlier anticipated.
Ghana will now officially participate in the playoffs of the competition and likely lock horns with either Senegal who are currently the best ranked country on the continent.
The official draw for the playoffs has been moved from December to January, 2022 and the games have been scheduled for March 2022.