Ghana referee banned for life over disputed penalty call

FIFA HAS banned for life the referee who awarded a disputed penalty for South Africa against Senegal in a World Cup qualifying match. Referee Joseph Lamptey of Ghana gave a penalty for a non-existent handball against Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Replays clearly showed the ball struck Koulibaly's knee and then dropped to the ground.

Lamptey was found guilty of breaching the rule relating to “unlawfully influencing match results,” FIFA said Monday. His assistant was cleared. “All charges against the Ghanaian match official David Lionheart Nii Lartey Laryea, whose behavior had also been the subject of investigations, were dismissed,” FIFA said.

outh Africa scored the penalty kick to lead 1-0 in the 42nd minute in Polokwane last November. The home team went on to beat Senegal 2-1 and is now in second place in the four-team group after two matches. Senegal is third, with only the group winner advancing to play in Russia.

FIFA declined to give more details of the case “once the decision becomes final and binding.” Lamptey can appeal to FIFA and then the Court of Arbitration for Sport.afinalverdictatcaswould typically take about a year to be published. FIFA did not say if a betting scam was the reason suspected for the referee's decision to award the penalty to South Africa.

The penalty awarded late in a scoreless first half could raise suspicion by potentially triggering bets relating to the state of the game and goals scored at halftime.