Former South Africa international, Mark Fish says he does not believe FIFA will overturn the results despite the protest lodged by the South Africa Football Association [SAFA] against Ghana.
Following Bafana Bafana’s defeat to Ghana in the final round of games of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, SAFA have lodged a complaint to the world football governing body, accusing Ghana of manipulation and match-fixing.
SAFA are critical of the performance of Senegalese referee, Maguette Ndiaye and his other assistants including the majority of his calls in the first half of the encounter at the Cape Coast Stadium.
However while Fish believes his side have a case, he believes it will be difficult for FIFA to rule in favour of South Africa.
“It’s difficult. We can see the efforts of the players throughout the qualifying. It’s a shame that Ghana had a penalty that didn’t look like a penalty,” Fish said as quoted by the Daily Sun.
“This has forfeited Bafana players a chance to qualify. We can only imagine what the coaches and players are going through. Why are we not having VAR in qualifying round?
“I am not saying it’s perfect, but it can assist referees to make better decisions.
“They (Safa) launched a protest, but I doubt if Fifa will overturn it. Two weeks ago, there was an incident in a game between AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs, where the referee made a controversial decision.
“The referee got suspended, but the results remained. The PSL must be front runners and have VAR to set the standard for the rest of the continent,” he added.
The defeat saw South Africa lose to Ghana and miss out on the chance to partake in the playoffs for a spot in the Mundial.
Ghana have been asked to respond to the complaints raised by Safa by November 20, as Fifa look yo commence investigation.
Source: Modern Ghana
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