FIFA Release SAFA Protest Letter

FIFA have released the details of the official appeal from SAFA which reveals the damning allegations made after the Ghana-Bafana clash on Sunday.

The football mother body acknowledged on Wednesday that they did receive a formal complaint from the South African Football Association, after SAFA had held a press conference to explain their stance.

At the time (Wednesday noon), FIFA hadn’t responded to SAFA’s protest yet. However, FIFA did acknowledge SAFA’s complaint officially later on Wednesday and also released the documentation received by SAFA.

The documents include the report from the match commissioner which confirms that SAFA already stated on Sunday that they would lodge a protest. In addition, SAFA submitted a protest letter and another letter confirming they would cover the costs of the investigation.

You can read SAFA’s protest letter below:

Dear Secretary General 

COMPLAINT AND PROTEST: MATCH FIXING, MATCH MANIPULATION, CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY INTO THE REFEREE AND OTHER MATCH OFFICIALS CONCERNING THE GAME BETWEEN GHANA VS SOUTH AFRICA PLAYED IN GHANA ON THE 14THNOVEMBER 2021 

• [1]  We refer to the above matters and wish to formally record our complaint and protest concerning the wrongful and unlawful conduct of the match referee and other officials, concerning match fixing, match manipulation including corruption and bribery in respect of the game between Ghana and South Africa played in Ghana on the 14th November 2021.
• [2]  Our complaint and protest is a follow up on the complaint which was lodged with the match commissioner by our Head of Delegation, Mr Aubrey Baartman and our Team Manager, Mr Vincent Tseka regarding the conduct of the referee and other match officials during the aforesaid game.
• [3]  We specifically call upon FIFA to investigate the match referee and other officials in terms of the provisions of Article 18 of Chapter 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, 2019 Edition (Match Manipulation of football matches). 
• [4] We will be forwarding all the relevant documents and a detailed complaint within the next 72 hours. 

The letter was signed by SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe.

FIFA confirmed they will hand the matter over to their DC on 23 November and have also given the Ghana FA until 20 November to respond and submit their own correspondence.