Today, Thursday, the Algerian Football Federation called on the International Federation of the Game (FIFA) to replay the second leg qualifying match for the World Cup Qatar 2022, with Cameroon, as a result of what it described as a scandalous arbitration.
The Algerian national team lost, on Tuesday, to its Cameroonian counterpart, by two goals to one in the match that was held at Mustafa Tchaker Stadium in the capital, Algiers, after winning the first leg in Cameroon with a clean goal.
The Algerian Federation stated, in a statement, its determination to activate all legally permitted means to restore its rights, and to repeat the match under conditions that guarantee the integrity and impartiality of arbitration.
In its statement, the federation also called for an investigation by FIFA bodies to shed light on the arbitration in the Algeria-Cameroon match.
After the defeat and the exclusion of the Desert Warriors team, the Algerian fans poured out their anger on the Gambian referee Bakari Gassama, who accused him of bias towards Cameroon.
According to publications that were widely circulated on social media platforms, Gassama canceled a correct goal for the Algerian team, did not award a penalty kick in his favour, and did not return to the assistant referee technique in Cameroon’s first goal due to an error against the defense and the goalkeeper of the Algerian team.
FAF files an appeal to FIFA regarding the refereeing of the Algeria-Cameroon match. pic.twitter.com/lz0VgwOx6Q
— Algerian Football Federation (@FAFAAlgeria) March 31, 2022
I hope you are fair, if only for once ????????@FAFAlgeria @FIFAWorldCup #Algeria_and_Cameroon_match_unjust_Bring_us_back_the_match_Where_is_FIFA_#Replay_match_Algeria_Cameroon#We _ demand _ the _ the _ to _ re-match#match_return#replay_match_algeria_cameron pic.twitter.com/Jpoox4RMpw
— Ray Anne. (@RayAne73174585) March 31, 2022
According to local media, the president of the Algerian Federation, Sharafeddine Amara, and his office members will all submit their resignations on Thursday evening, due to the failure to qualify for the World Cup finals.
And qualified for the World Cup Qatar 2022 for Africa, teams Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco and Cameroon.