Algerian fans protest Infront of FIFA headquarters in Switzerland.
Algeria and Algerians home and abroad are still disgruntled of their loss against La République du Cameroun during away leg of the fifa World Cup qualifying matches. Algerians believe that they were cheated by the fifa match administrators and therefore they have protested in many different ways. Algerian fans were seen protesting Infront of FIFA headquarters in Switzerland yesterday.
What is the truth of the matter? Gab Ellison has the coverage.
Dozens of Algerians gathered, on Wednesday, Infront of the headquarters of the International Football Association “FIFA” in Zurich, Switzerland, to protest the refereeing errors of Gambian referee Bakary Gassama, in the national team’s match against Cameroon, which qualified the latter for the 2022 world cup. Activists circulated through social networks photos and videos, which witnessed the presence of many Algerian fans in protest against what happened in the “Desert Warriors” match in the qualifying round for the World Cup.
On Tuesday, the Algerian Football Federation denied rumours about the rejection of the International Federation denied (FIFA) of its grievances about the second leg of the decisive stage qualifying for the 2022 world cup against Cameroon. Algeria lodged a protest claiming an arbitration injustice against Cameroon and local reports stated that it wanted to replay the match after it failed to reach the finals, but FIFA decided to fine Algeria 3,000 dollars for throwing bodies and setting off fireworks during the match that was held in Blida last March.
The Algerian Federation said in a statement on its Twitter account; “The financial penalty is correct and we have known about it for more than a week, but FIFA has not yet decided on the complaint we submitted regarding this match.” The disciplinary offense related to incidents that occurred during the match between Algeria and Cameroon. We acknowledge these mistakes and hope that they will not be repeated and that we do not see such behavior in our stadiums. But our main request has not yet been decided upon and the file is still with the jury.
The Algerian Federation complained of arbitrary violations against the first team from Gambian referee Bakary Gassama in the return match that was held at Mustafa Chaker Stadium in Blida. Two days before this rally, Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi spoke on RMC to reiterate his criticism of the match referee “I want to denounce the crux of the problem, which is African arbitration”, according to him, African arbitration is “obsolete” in general. “Its from a prehistoric age. It’s too old-fashioned, they’re too outdated. And there’s a takeover by those with the longest arm, there’s influence peddling. That’s why I said it must never happen again.
Belmadi also said he did not speak about Samuel Eto’o or the Cameroon national team. He said he was criticising the general refereeing situation in Africa, we have to find ways to improve. FIFA's delayed response to Algerian Football Federation’s complaint seems to be generating hope among Algerian fans. Many of them are now believing if their case was void of reason, the verdict would have come much faster.
GAB ELLISON REPORTING FOR UNDAUNTED-ABC AMBA NEWS
