Ghanaian Referee Joseph Lamptey Banned for Life by FIFA

Match official Joseph Odartei Lamptey has been banned from all football-related activities for life by FIFA’s disciplinary committee following his role in influencing the result, in the World Cup qualifier between Senegal and South Africa.

FIFA statement read,

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “The FIFA Disciplinary committee has decided to ban the Ghanaian match official Joseph Odartei Lamptey from taking part in any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) at a national and international level for life.   [/perfectpullquote]

“FIFA follows a zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and is committed to protecting the integrity of football.”

Proof of Lamptey’s influence was during the World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal where he awarded a contentious penalty for a handball yet the ball had clearly hit Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly’s knee.

The game ended 2-1 in favor of South Africa.

A formal complaint was immediately filed with CAF and FIFA which led to a subsequent three-month ban by CAF as investigations were being carried out.

FIFA has since concluded that the referee unlawfully influenced the match result according to Article 69 of the Disciplinary Code.

The charges against fellow officials David Lionheart and Lartey Laryea have been dropped.

Featured photo: BACKPAGEPIX