Football’s world governing body FIFA are reviewing South Africa’s appeal to replay their World Cup qualifier against Ghana, which they lost 1-0.
South Africa made a “formal complaint” to FIFA after the match, appealing for a replay after a series of “questionable decisions”, according to the chief executive of their football association.
Ghana reached the African World Cup play-offs courtesy of their win, which came after a controversial penalty was awarded.
Ghana’s Daniel Amartey went down in the South Africa box after minimal contact from defender Rushine de Reuck. Referee Maguette Ndiaye awarded a penalty, which Andre Ayew scored to send Ghana through.
South Africa had only needed a draw to reach the third round of qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
South Africa Football Association’s (SAFA) chief executive Tebogo Mothlante said:
“The match officials have decided the game, which is not what is supposed to happen.
“We will be writing to both CAF [the Confederation of African Football] and [world governing body] FIFA — firstly to investigate how the game was handled and secondly to challenge some of these decisions.
“We have already registered with the match commissioner that we will be making a formal complaint.”
He added: “We are very disheartened by their actions and we can’t let it destroy the players — when we have the chance to challenge, we will challenge.
“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 and we will get an expert to dissect other incidents, so we can make a strong case.”
FIFA said in a statement to The Athletic:
“FIFA has received a complaint from the South African FA in relation to this matter and will review it. Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage.”