Wayne Lumbasi
World football governing body, FIFA on Monday fined some African Nations for misconduct during the recently concluded World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria, who were knocked out on away goals, were fined $154,000 and must play one match without supporters after their fans invaded the pitch following their second leg in Abuja against Ghana.
Senegal have been fined $180,000 by FIFA for poor fan behavior after fans of the African nation targeted Mohamed Salah with laser beams during a World Cup play-off.
Salah missed his spot-kick for Egypt as Senegal secured their place at the 2022 World Cup, however the game was marred as Salah had laser beams pointed at him when stepping up from 12 yards – impairing his vision.
The aftermath of the game saw the Egyptian Football Association make several accusations, claiming that their players had been racially abused, hit with bottles and stones as well as being targeted with lasers throughout the game. Senegal was also ordered to play a future competitive game in an empty stadium.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Lebanon received similar punishments following disturbances at games against Morocco and Syria respectively. The list of decisions published by Fifa does not include any instructions for any replays or overturning of results.
Algeria had lodged a demand with Fifa for a replay of their second-leg loss to visiting Cameroon that saw the Desert Foxes eliminated on the away goals rule.
The Algeria Football Federation and the national team coach Djamel Belmadi were unhappy with several decisions made by Gambian referee Bakary Gassama. Instead the only sanction issued by FIFA was a $3,000 fine to Algeria for “order and security at matches (throwing of objects and lighting of fireworks)”.
