Two months after the match between Algeria and Cameroon, FIFA has still not issued an official verdict on its website. This situation intrigues more than one and raises many questions. What decisions or sanctions after the arbitration of Bakary Gassama during the match Algeria – Cameroon?
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FIFA has not yet made public its decision on the arbitration of Bakary Gassama
FIFA is usually prompt in handling cases and other disputes in its competitions. However, it seems strangely slow in processing and settling the arbitration case of Gambian Bakary Gassama. On March 29 at the Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida during the return match Algeria vs Cameroon on behalf of the play-offs for the 2022 World Cup-Africa qualifiers, some of his decisions had aroused great controversy.
FIFA has rendered its judgment on the incidents that marked the end of the match (throwing of projectiles and use of smoke bombs). It announced on its official website that it had imposed a fine of 3,000 Swiss francs on Algeria. But the business of the complaint of the Algerian Football Federation versus the arbitration of Bakary Gassama remains unofficial.
Indeed, no official press release has been made public by FIFA on the matter. We just note the opinion of the FIFA Referees Committee sent to the FAF. To him is added the declaration of a spokesperson for the supreme body of world football to a journalist from the France Presse agency indicating the closure of the file.
What to remember from the complaint against Bakary Gassama’s arbitration addressed to FIFA?
It is not in the habits of FIFA to close a file in this way. Usually, a direct response is addressed to the national association concerned. This answer means to him that “his appeal is rejected and that the match is homologated in its result”. This is far from being the case for this case, hence the last correspondence sent by the FAF to FIFA asking for a clear answer on this file.
Again, FIFA has been confined to a silence for two weeks, which is intriguing to say the least. Why this silence on the part of the body led by Gianni Infantino? Is she trying to buy time to prevent the Algerian Football Federation from seizing the Court of Arbitration for Sport of Lausanne on time?
Until an official response is made public, the FAF is bound hand and foot. Only a FIFA verdict will allow Charaf-Eddine Amara’s body to appeal to the CAS.
Is the case so complex that it takes so long to process? A priori not because the file introduced by the FAF insists on the result of the match distorted by the performance of the referee, with the support of an expertise of a specialized firm qualifying the arbitration of Bakary Gassama of “suspect.”
What should we expect now?
Does FIFA have elements of corruption, such as the Algerian journalist Aref Mechakra and the president of the World Anti-Corruption Security Organization (OMSAC) Mourad Mazar?
Again, a verdict should not take so long to be rendered. FIFA is required to make an official decision on this case, which is tarnishing its image. She must quickly take stock of the controversy linked to the arbitration of Bakary Gassama.
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