Panafrican News Agency

2022 FIFA WC playoffs: FIFA fines six African countries for indiscipline but orders no replay

Zurich, Switzerland (PANA) - World football governing body, FIFA, on Monday announced disciplinary measures against six African countries for incidents during the two-leg playoff matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

"In line with FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance against discrimination and violence in football, a number of member associations have been punished due to the abusive behaviour by their respective supporters," it said. 

The disciplinary actions were in the form of fines and playing without spectators, although two of the countries which were eliminated -- Algeria and Egypt -- had asked for replays.

Algeria sought a replay of their second-leg playoff match, which they lost at home to Cameroon on the away goal rule, because of claims of unfair officiating by Gambian referee Bakary Gassama.

Egypt also asked for a replay of their final playoff match in Senegal which they lost on penalties.

The actions against Algeria, DR Congo, Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria and Egypt were part of the decisions of the FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee against many countries throughout the world during the final round of qualifying matches in the first quarter of this year.

FIFA said on its website that the Committee took decisions based on the specific circumstances of each case. It added that some decisions may be subject to appeal.

According to FIFA, during the second leg match between Algeria and Cameroon on 29 March, in Algeria, there were incidents of order and security involving throwing of objects and lighting of fireworks.

Algeria were fined 3,000 Swiss francs.

In the Morocco v DR Congo second leg playoff match on 29 March, there were order and security issues involving throwing of objects. Morocco were also fined 30,000 Swiss francs for lighting of fireworks, throwing of objects and blocked stairways. 

DR Congo was fined 5,000 Swiss francs for throwing of objects.

For their first leg encounter in DR Congo, there were incidents of throwing of objects, invasion of the field of play, failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium and that the match is organised properly for which DR Congo were fined 120,000 swiss francs and ordered to play one match without spectators.

For the second leg match on 29 March between Senegal and Egypt played in Senegal, Egypt were fined 6,000 Swiss francs for team misconduct against six individuals.

Senegal were fined 175,000 Swiss francs and ordered to play one match without spectators for various disciplinary actions.

These are failure to implement existing safety rules and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play, throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks, use of laser pointers and use of objects to transmit a message that is not appropriate for a sports events referred to as "offensive banner".

For the second leg match between Nigeria and Ghana in Nigeria on 29 March, Nigeria were fined 150,000 Swiss francs for failure to implement existing safety rules and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects.

At the end of the Africa playoffs, Cameroon, Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia qualified for the finals in Qatar.

-0- PANA MA/RA 2May2022