FIFA throws out South Africa’s appeal against Ghana
World football governing body, FIFA has dealt a heavy and shocking blow to the South Africa Football Association, SAFA and the fans of Bafana Bafana. The global football federation threw out the appeal of the SAFA against the Black Stars of Ghana and the Bafana Bafana would no longer get a replay as they anticipated.
The decision is however open to appeal from the Southern African nation if they so wish, a challenge the SAFA is likely to take judging from comments from its leadership.
In a short statement, FIFA said the protest has been declared inadmissible by the disciplinary committee, faulting it for failing to meet requirements under article 44 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and that of article 14 of the 2022 World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations.
“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,” adding that “the decision of the Disciplinary Committee is subject to appeal”.
South Africa after leading Group G of the 2022 World Cup CAF Qualifiers was bundled out of the competition by the Black Stars of Ghana who until the final day had trailed the Bafana Bafana. The defeat of the Bafana Bafana which was by a penalty won by Daniel Amartey and converted by Andre Ayew in the first half incensed the South African authorities who felt the match was predetermined or the result was given to Ghana by the Senegalese central referee Maquette Ndiaye.
They after the match notified the match commissioner of the intention to appeal the results and subsequently lodged an appeal against the Black Stars. The subsequent comments from the South Africans prompted a reply from their Ghanaian counterparts with the GFA telling them that even if they got a rematch, Ghana would still beat them since it was not the first that the Black Stars beat the Bafana Bafana nor would be the last.
FIFA had noted November 23 as the day to make its decision known but delayed till three days into December to make their decision known. The delay alone also caused disaffection from the South African federation for the global federation with the former questioning the latter’s silence.
We will wait to see the next line of action from the South Africans, as to whether they will appeal or not but as it stands the Black Stars participation in the draw for the next round is confirmed.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
