FIFA will today Tuesday 23rd November, 2021 release its verdict on the protest lodged by the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) regarding the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ghana’s Black Stars.
South Africa’s football governing body lodged a protest to the global federation last week, claiming that there was match manipulation in the encounter where they lost by a goal to nil against Ghana at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
The defeat eventually ended the Bafana Bafana’s dreams of playing at the Qatar World Cup next year.
SAFA is calling for the Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye to be banned and also ordering for a replay of the game.
The Ghana football association, however, have 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 the reputation of the Blak 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 both statements from the two associations and will release the verdict by the close of the day.
