Why We Won’t Appeal Disallowed Goal Against Eagles – Zambia FA
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says it would not appeal to Fifa over a disallowed goal during the 1-0 loss to Nigeria on Saturday.
Zambia had an Augustine Mulenga’s goal ruled offside by referee Joshua Bondo.
However, in press statement by FAZ,since Fifa count the referees decision as final, appealing the decision will be daunting.
“According to article 15 of the FIFA regulation, which clearly states 15 (6) that the referees decision is final. That is where football comes from. Where there is reason to believe that the referee has probably made a mistake, I think there are enough safeguards within the system that address those kinds of concerns. So that is where we are starting from,” he said.
“I think all games have got referee assessors, I think they will equally file in their reports, the match commissioner will file in the report. But the rules are very clear, you cannot overturn a referee’s decision, the only decision that is overturned and I think this should be very clear and this is the basis on which we find ourselves constrained.”
Furthermore, he stated that, “Those of us who were in the stadium saw it within a split second that it was not an offside but the referee made a decision and like I said the referee’s decision is final. But the only consolation is that FIFA will overturn the result of a game if they have reason to believe that there was external influence.”
The FAZ president regretted that the country has had several appeals turned down before now.
The lose ended Zambia’s hopes of making it to the competition in Russia.
