SAFA reveals new evidence of match-fixing to support FIFA appeal

November 17, 2021 4:49 pmNovember 17, 20214:49 pm

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 17: (SOUTH AFRICA OUT) Norman Arendse and Danny Jordaan during the SAFA press conference at Tsogo Sun Hotel on April 17, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa. After analysing the findings of the Arendse Commission into allegations of misconduct concerning Gordon Igesund, the Bafana Bafana head coach has now been cleared and is free to see out the remainder of his contract. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

The South African FA have launched a complaint about the conduct of Maguette Ndiaye, who officiated their qualifier against Ghana.

Ghana made it to the final round of the African World Cup qualification after defeating South Africa 1-0 on Sunday.

Ghana were awarded a controversial penalty in the 33rd minute, which was converted by Andre Ayew.

A few hours after the game, the South African FA issued an official complaint about the incident to FIFA. The SAFA officials claimed the game was decided by Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye.

SAFA have now confirmed they will provide new evidence of match-fixing to FIFA.

“There was betting on the match. It is a fact that there was betting on the match,” SAFA president Danny Jordaan said in a press conference.

“We want FIFA to investigate this also. What happens in betting, if you know in the 10th minute the referee is going to give a penalty, then there is a betting spike just before the penalty is given.”

The SAFA president claimed there was a sudden spike in the bets placed on Ghana before the game.

“If that happens, if the betting spikes coincide with the decision, then you know. But, how is it that there is a betting spike just before a major decision is taken? So they knew when to bet because it’s online betting, so you watch the match and you watch the match because you have the information.

“We don’t have the capacity to do that [investigation] so we have asked FIFA to do that.”

FIFA have confirmed they have received South Africa’s appeal. The new evidence could be decisive, potentially changing the final standings of Group G of the qualifiers.

As of now, Ghana have won the group with 13 points, advancing to the third round of the qualifications.

The ten qualified teams will play five play-off fixtures to determine Africa’s five spots in the Qatar World Cup. The African Confederation has scheduled the competition for March 2022.