2022 WCQ: FIFA to release verdict on South Africa's protest against Ghana

FIFA will today release its verdict on the protest lodged by the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) regarding the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ghana.

SAFA lodged a protest to the world football governing last week, claiming that there was match manipulation and bribery in their defeat to the Black Stars at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in the final round of games.

The defeat eventually ended the Bafana Bafana’s dreams of booking a place in the playoffs.

SAFA is calling for the Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye to be banned and also ordering for a replay of the game.

Following the allegations, the Ghana Football Association [GFA], 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 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.

Despite the attack on SAFA, the GFA have also submitted their defense of the accusations by SAFA.

Ghana is aiming to return to the Mundial having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018.