FIFA bans Ghanaian referee for life over match manipulation

The international football governing body FIFA has banned Ghanaian referee Joseph Odartei Lamptey for life after he was found guilty of match manipulation.

He was found guilty of influencing the results of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between South Africa and Senegal in November last year.

Lamptey wrongly awarded South Africa a penalty that gave them the lead in the qualifier and subsequent 2-1 win.

The offence is a breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code Article 69, Paragraph 1.

FIFA said in a statement on Monday that the referee has been banned from taking part in “any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) at national and international level for life”.

“Further information concerning the South Africa v. Senegal match in question will be provided once the decision becomes final and binding,” FIFA added.

FIFA also said it has dropped all charges against another Ghanaian referee, David Lionheart Nii Lartey Laryea, who is under investigation.