NIGERIA, Algeria and Senegal have been slammed with fines and bans by FIFA following crowd troubles during their 2022 World Cup play-offs played on March 29.
When Nigeria hosted Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, fans who could not come to terms with the inability of the Super Eagles to qualify for the Qatar 2022 resorted to vandalising items at the stadium.
Having played a goalless draw against Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Nigeria only managed a 1-1 draw in Abuja after Thomas Partey had scored for the Black Stars while the hosts secured a leveller through William Troost-Ekong’s spot kick all in the first half.
Following the result, the Ghanaians qualified on the away goal rule. It kick-started a pitch invasion by angry Nigeria fans who destroyed property and forced the Ghana players into taking refuge in the dressing room.
As a result, Nigeria were fined $154,086 (N63.9million) by the world football governing body, and will further play a one match without fans.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was accused of “failing to implement existing safety rules -regarding order and security, and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects.”
Also, Senegal have been hammered by FIFA. The Teranga Lions will have to part with $180,000 for failing to control their fans who shone laser pointers into the eyes of several Egypt players, notably Mohamed Salah, during the second leg of the match played in Dakar.
The Pharaohs had won the initial meeting at home by a solitary goal, but Teranga Lions managed to win the second leg by the same margin to send the game to extra time and eventually penalties.
In the shootout, the fans shone laser pointers at Salah as he missed his crucial penalty. The hosts went on to win the shootout and sealed their place in the prestigious global competition.
Just like Nigeria, Senegal will play their next match behind closed doors.
FIFA equally fined Algeria $3081 for “throwing of objects and lighting of fireworks” in their second meeting with Cameroon.
Cameroon after losing 0-1 at home fought back in the reverse fixture and won the game 2-1 during extra time for a 2-2 draw and qualified on the away goal rule.