FIFA has responded to the Ethiopia Football Federation’s protest letter, against the centre referee’s decision not to award a first-half goal, in their 1-2 loss to Nigeria on Sunday in Addis Ababa.
The home team felt they should have taken the lead earlier, after Salhadin Said’s shot looked to have crossed the line and their coach Bishaw Sewnet blamed Cameroonian official Neant Allioum, claiming he was favouring the African champions.
“We lost the game because the referee was poor; we scored a goal that he cancelled and the referee also did other things that were questionable,” he said.
However, FIFA has waded in and made it clear that Allioum’s decision is final and cannot be reversed. The letter which was signed by the Director of Legal Affairs, Marco Villiger and Head of Disciplinary and Governance, Marc Cavallero, read in parts: “We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 13 complaining about the referee’s decision to disallow a goal against Nigeria. In respect, we would like to draw your attention to article 14 paragraph 6 of the regulations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
“According to which protests may be made about referee’s decision regarding facts connected with play, such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA disciplinary code.
“Therefore in view of the foregoing, we regret to inform you that we are not in any position to intervene in the matter. Finally, we would like to point out that the foregoing is of a purely informative nature and therefore, without prejudice to any decision whatever.”
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