FIFA have taken an extraordinary step on Monday, banning Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey for life.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee have banned Lamptey “from taking part in any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) at national and international level for life.”
Lamptey was found guilty of match manipulation of the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal on November 12, 2016.
South Africa 2 – Senegal 1
South Africa won the game 2-1, with both their goals coming just before half-time. Senegal pulled a goal back late in the World Cup qualifier.
The penalty awarded to South Africa for their opening goal was a seriously questionable decision.
The match remains valid as part of the Africa World Cup qualification process, with both South Africa and Senegal behind Burkina Faso in Group D.
FIFA announced that their report on this specific match “will be provided once the decision becomes final and binding.”
Lamptey’s fellow match officials for the South Africa v Senegal match have been cleared of any wrongdoing by FIFA.
The full FIFA statement is below.
Joseph Lamptey was recently a referee at the Olympics in Rio, as well as the Ghanian Premier League.
FIFA ban referee Joseph Lamptey for life: FIFA statement