FIFA has rubbished a report claiming that Zambia has been awarded three points for its protest against Sudan for fielding an ineligible player in their 2014 World Cup qualifier.
A Zambian website reported last week that the Chipolopolo have been awarded three points by the world governing body for fielding Saed Ali who was not eligible to play in the game.
The report had given the impression that Zambian had taken a lead over Ghana in Group D of the qualifiers as they would have moved to six points.
But in a sharp response to the wild rumours, FIFA says no decision has been taken on the matter
Fans in Zambia this afternoon went agog when social media rumors circulated that Chipolopolo had been awarded three points.
“The information you send as of this afternoon (regarding Zambia being awarded three points) is not correct,†FIFA Communications Department said in a statement.
“We are not in a position to comment further for the moment, but hope to have more information perhaps later next week.â€
The Chipolopolo, who have filed a protest with FIFA, are seeking to overturn the 2-0 defeat at hands of Sudan because Din Ali was ineligible for the game.
If FIFA rules in favour of Zambia they will straight to the top of the 2014 World Cup qualifying group with the advantage of playing their remaining tough matches at home apart from the Black Stars return clash.
Zambia will move to the top of the group with six points while Ghana will be second with three points if FIFA rules in favour of the Chipolopolo.
Sudan won the game against Zambia 2-0 in Khartoum two weeks ago which helped them to move to the top of Group with four points after drawing with Lesotho over the weekend.
However, the Zambians are protesting against Din Ali who scored against them in the game in Khartoum as he was not qualified to play in the match.
That is because he received in red card at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations which was Sudan’s last official game before the World Cup qualifiers.
Despite the confidence of Zambia over their protest there is mounting evidence their quest would fail because of some technicalities.
The protest was not filed within 72 per FIFA regulations and FIFA and CAF did not provide with any information to the Sudanese FA showing that Din Ali was ineligible for the game.
This could also prevent Ghana from qualifying for the World Cup, for the first time since 2006.