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Colombian linesman dropped, but no fixing probe, says FIFA
Colombian linesman dropped, but no fixing probe, says FIFA
DPA/Rio de Janeiro
FIFA is not investigating Colombian linesman Humberto Clavijo in connection with any allegation of deliberate wrongdoing after incidents at a recent World Cup game, football’s ruling body said yesterday. |
Clavijo, who was dropped from his regular officiating team for Sunday’s match between South Korea and Algeria, made wrong offside decisions in his first game a week ago. The decisions denied Mexico two goals in their eventual 1-0 victory against Cameroon.
FIFA security director Ralf Mutschke said that the decision on match officials lies with the referees’ commission, and added: “He is not under investigation by me.”
Mutschke also said that officials dealing with possible alleged fixing schemes discussed Alex Song’s red card in Cameroon’s second game, a 4-0 defeat against Croatia, for hitting Mario Mandzukic far away from the ball with the score 1-0 at the time. He said: “The whole team played bad.”
FIFA will have a close look at Cameroon’s final group A match against Brazil on Monday.
“Looking at all criteria, this match has a higher risk than a final or opening match,” Mutschke said.
He said that there have so far been no warnings alleging possible match-fixing via two hotlines, which are part of a major effort by the ruling body in the fight against match manipulation.