S’Africa accept FIFA order to replay WCQ against Senegal

South Africa will not appeal FIFA’s decision to have their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal replayed after accepting the verdict “on ethical and moral grounds.”

The world football governing body had ordered that the qualifier between the two African giants be replayed after the match referee, Joseph Lamptey was banned for life.

South Africa beat Senegal 2-1 in the original tie last November, and following the order by Fifa last week, their football association, Safa considered an appeal but now says it agrees with Fifa provided the referee’s ban is not overturned.

On Tuesday Safa said it “has decided on ethical and moral grounds that if this match was manipulated, we should replay it”.

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It later added: “We have however, noted that the official at the centre of all this controversy has appealed his case to the courts of law.

“If the courts overturn the decision, everything becomes null and void and Safa will reserve its right to challenge the decision of Fifa to replay the match.

“Safa’s zero tolerance on corrupt activities within football are well documented and it is in this light that we decided to comply with the Fifa directive.”

Senegal and South Africa are currently third and fourth respectively in Africa’s Group D behind Burkina Faso and Cape Verde Islands. Only the top team qualify for next year’s World Cup finals in Russia.

 

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