Safa studying Fifa report

THE South African Football Association have said they will study the decision by FIFA ordering Bafana Bafana to replay their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal amid fears the case could set a precedent which could empower other countries to ask for damages in matches that were controversially handled.

The match, characterised by some interesting refereeing decisions, was originally played last year on 12 November in Polokwane and Bafana won 2-1.

According to FIFA, this decision follows the confirmation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport to uphold the lifetime ban of match referee, Joseph Lamptey, for match manipulation, the ruling imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary and Appeal Committees.

In their letter, FIFA further suggested that the match be replayed within the November 2017 international window, with the exact date to be confirmed in due course.

SAFA said in a statement that they were studying the contents of the report and would issue a statement on their intentions to challenge that decision.

“SAFA wishes to also state categorically that it was in no way involved with any wrongdoing related to the actions of the referee, as stated in the FIFA report.

“In the meantime, all issues related to this matter will be handled by Senior Counsel, Mr Norman Arendse,” read a statement.

The controversial Ghanaian referee at the centre of the controversy, Lamptey, also appears to have been part of a cartel of match officials who have been embedded with Congolese giants TP Mazembe.

Seychelles match official Bernard Camille, exposed this year as the TP Mazembe’s aide-in-chief in the Champions League, is part of the group.

Camille’s appointment to handle the Congolese giants’ Champions League match against CAPS United in Harare earlier this year triggered a huge storm here. — Sports Reporter/SuperSport.