CHAN 2024: Explaining CAF’s Appeal Rules Amid Kenya vs Madagascar Controversy
- Kenyans are still confused about why Harambee Stars' second goal vs Madagascar was disallowed
- Ryan Ogam thought he had doubled Kenya's lead, only for the Senegalese referee to rule it out for a foul in the build-up
- We take a look at whether Kenya has grounds for an appeal and what CAF rules say after the heartbreak in Nairobi
Kenyans are still reeling from the disappointment after the men's national football team, Harambee Stars, lost to Madagascar on Friday evening.
Source: UGC
The loss saw the team exit the African Nations Championships (CHAN) in the quarter-final stage after showing early signs of promise in the tournament.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw in normal and extra time, and had to be settled in a post-match penalty shootout that the Barea won.
Why was Ryan Ogam's goal vs Madagascar disallowed?
Kenyans have since taken to social media to voice their frustrations with two key officiating decisions that changed the tide of the game.
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Ryan Ogam's goal, which could have doubled Kenya's lead, was disallowed for a supposed foul in the build-up.
Gor Mahia's Ben Stanley was penalised for pushing a Madagascar defender before heading the ball back to Ogam's path, who found the back of the net.
The other decision happened in Kenya's goal area, where Lewis Bandi was penalised for handling the ball.
The former AFC Leopards defender turned his back to block an attempted shot on goal, but the ball inadvertently touched his hands, leading to a penalty.
The penalty decision hasn't drawn much reaction as Ogam's disallowed goal, given that Bandi's hands were not in a natural position.
Can Kenya appeal the game against Madagascar?
However, there has been growing clamour online for Kenya to 'appeal' the game, and have it replayed, but how feasible is this?
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has well-stipulated rules on how the CHAN tournament will be governed and officiated.
National teams are allowed to lodge their appeals with the governing body, but sadly for Kenya, refereeing disputes don't fall in any category and cannot be reviewed.
Article 43 of the rule book says,
"The decisions taken by the referee on the ground during the match on matters of fact shall not be subject to protests in any case."
'Matters of fact' in this case are the decisions the referee took based on what he directly saw, observed or felt during the match. Such decisions won't be open to interpretation.
Source: Twitter
How protests and appeals work at CHAN 2024
The same rule book gives the scenarios under which a team can lodge a complaint.
For example, should a team learn that the opponent fielded an ineligible player, they are required to submit their complaint and bear the costs of investigation. Should their protest be upheld, the money will be returned and the costs borne by the team found guilty of fraud.
"If a national association requests, for players whose qualification is contested to be confronted, this association will have to bear the whole expenses incurred for the transport and the sojourn of the players and the officials accompanying them. If its claim is accepted, the expenses will be borne by the association guilty of fraud."
So, unless Madagascar are found guilty of fraud, the game is done and dusted, and Kenya will be left to rue their missed chances during the game.
Benni McCarthy addresses Ryan Ogam's disallowed goal
Speaking after the game, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy addressed the two incidents.
An understandably disappointed McCarthy was also at a loss to explain why Ogam's goal had been disallowed, calling the decision 'soft'.
"I do think the free kick for the goal was extremely soft. So that should have stood, in my opinion. But the referee and the VAR, the officials that was on the pitch today, disagreed that they gave the decision"
The South African tactician also questioned what Bandi was supposed to do with his hands in such a situation.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
