Fifa Throw Out Zambia Protest Over World Cup Qualifier Vs Nigeria

Football governing body Fifa says it will not act on a complaint filed by the Football Association of Zambia about refereeing in their World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on October 7.

The Zambian Federation had protested to Fifa over the performance of Botswana referee Joshua Bondo, who disallowed a goal scored by Augustine Mulenga in the 1-0 loss against Nigeria.

Fifa emailed FAZ, stating that no proceedings will be opened because the referee's decision is final and there's no evidence that he was manipulated by the Nigerian Federation or betting companies.

''In this context, we refer your association to article 15 par 6, of the regulations of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, which clearly stipulates that no protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal,'' Deputy Secretary to Fifa's Disciplinary Committee Julien Deux stated in the letter to FAZ.

''Having said that, and for the sake of good order, we would like to emphasize that on the basis of the documentation and information currently in our possession, there is no evidence of any infringement of the applicable regulations by the referees of the match in question.''

Last month, Fifa had ordered a replay of the World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal because of match-fixing by the referee Joseph Lamptey.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel