South Africa, Senegal to replay match after lifetime ban of referee upheld

South Africa is in more danger than ever of missing the 2018 World Cup.

On Wednesday, the Bureau for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers ordered a replay of the 2018 World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal, which was played on Nov. 12, 2016. The decision came after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the lifetime ban of Joseph Odartei Lamptey, the referee for the game, for match manipulation.

South Africa beat Senegal 2-1 at the Peter Makoba Stadium, and the first goal of the game was scored after Lamptey incorrectly ruled that Kalidou Koulibaly touched the ball with a hand, allowing Thulani Hlatshwayo to convert a penalty kick. The ball actually made contact with the Senegalese centre-back's leg.

The South African Football Association published a statement, reading: "SAFA is studying the content of the report and will issue a statement on intentions to challenge that decision. SAFA wishes to also state categorically that it was in no way involved with any wrongdoing related to the actions of the referee, as stated in the report."

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to ban Lamptey from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for life. All charges against David Lionheart Nii Lartey Laryea, whose behaviour was also investigated, were dismissed.

By virtue of ordering a replay, South Africa is sitting on only one point in Group D, while Senegal, on five points, will have a chance to leapfrog Burkina Faso and Cape Verde and take top spot.

In 2016, three cases were decided concerning international friendlies played in South Africa in 2010. Leslie Sedibe, a former official of the SAFA, was banned from any football-related activities for five years and fined CHF 20,000. Steve Goddard and Adeel Carelse, also former officials of the SAFA, were banned for two years.