Senegal launch formal protest over 'manufactured' J.O. Lamptey penalty for South Africa

Senegal have officially protested to both FIFA and CAF over the penalty awarded South Africa by Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamtey in last weekend's World Cup qualifier in Polokwane City.

In the protest, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said it had "expressed its strongest protest" over the performance of referee Joseph Lamptey in the match.

"The FSF noticed throughout the match, scandalous refereeing decisions made for the benefit of the host team, which had direct consequences on the final score of the match, and the weakening of our position in the classification for the qualification for the World Cup", a letter from the FSF stated.

"In addition, there were many serious fouls suffered by our players which went unsanctioned as well as non-existent offside decisions against us. The referee had, against all expectations, tipped the game firmly in favour of the South African team, particularly the dubious decisions with which they got their two goals,' the FSF's letter further explained.

The Senegalese also stated that despite the assistant referee, who was better positioned, going for a corner kick, Lamptey was adamant in awarding the penalty.

"In spite of our players' protests and, more seriously, by over-ruling the better-placed assistant referee who had indicated a corner that the South African players were eager to go and take.'

Senegal also claim the second goal by South Africa was invalid as Lamptey was cautioning two Senegalese players while the Bafana Bafana went on with play.

The Ghanaian elite referee who appeared to have communicated with his team of officials has come under massive criticism for the penalty awarded the South African last weekend.