SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe has explained the process to be followed in lodging a formal complaint to both FIFA and CAF following Bafana Bafana’s 1-0 defeat away to Ghana, thanks to what appeared a dubious penalty.
He said South Africa were “robbed”.
Coach Hugo Broos’s men only needed at least a draw to progress to the play-offs of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, but the narrow loss meant The Black Stars ended the group stages as log leaders and through to the next phase.
But it wasn’t without controversy, with Maguette N'Diaye (Senegal) awarding a penalty in the first half, having adjudged that defender Rushine De Reuck had pushed Daniel Amartey in the box – the video suggests he hardly touched him.
Andre Ayew stepped up to convert the spot kick.
“For us, the match officials have decided the game, which isn’t what is supposed to happen. As the association we have decided we will be writing to both CAF and FIFA to investigate how the game was handled, and secondly to also challenge some of these decisions. We have already registered with the match commissioner that we will be writing a formal complaint,” Motlanthe confirmed to the media from Ghana.
“Of course, we are travelling today (Monday), but we have ticked all our boxes. The full complaint submitted will be supported by all the evidence, which was there, to say the game was either indeed manipulated or the referee has done something wrong. We are very disheartened by their action and we can’t leave it and let it destroy the players when we have the chance to challenge it. We feel very much robbed because it is not an isolated incident of a penalty – there are just a lot of questionable decisions by match officials.”
In September 2017, FIFA ordered Bafana to replay their World Cup qualifier against Senegal after referee Joseph Lamptey was banned for also awarding a dubious penalty.
Senegal beat South Africa and progressed to the tournament in Russia the following year.
“This is why we will get an expert, who will dissect what are the incidents so we can make a strong case. FIFA set a precedent by ordering us to replay Senegal. If justice needs to be served then the same decision will be taken for this Ghana game,” the SAFE CEO added.
"The players have represented the country with distinction, and the travelling was not the easiest. I am pleading with the nation to keep supporting the team as we challenge this decision.”
Story by @superjourno
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