Zurich: Fifa says it has banned for life the referee who awarded a disputed penalty for South Africa against Senegal in a World Cup qualifying match.
Referee Joseph Lamptey of Ghana gave a penalty for a non-existent handball against Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Replays clearly showed the ball struck Koulibaly’s knee and then dropped to the ground.
South Africa scored the penalty kick to lead 1-0 in the 42nd minute in Polokwane last November. The home team went on to beat Senegal 2-1 and are now in second place in the four-team group after two matches. Senegal are third.
Fifa says it will give more details of the case “once the decision becomes final and binding.”
Lamptey can appeal to Fifa and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
