150k Fans Sign Petition Demanding FIFA Probe into Scotland 1-0 Haiti World Cup Match
Just days after winning their first World Cup match in 36 years, a petition has been launched to strip Scotland of their victory over Haiti.
Steve Clarke’s men got their Group C campaign off to the ideal start in Boston in the early hours of Sunday morning with a 1-0 win, thanks to a goal from Aston Villa’s John McGinn. The deflected strike was hardly a classic and the game itself was pretty scrappy, but none of that mattered to the Tartan Army.
Scotland’s fans celebrated their triumph long into the night, but not everyone was thrilled about the outcome. The game saw a number of controversial moments, including two penalty shouts for Haiti that were ignored by the referee.
Furious fans Demand Action Over Scotland’s Victory
Originally launched by a user in Paris, the change.org petition is demanding “an in-depth review” of the officiating in the match, which was overseen by Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal.
Those behind the campaign cite “several arbitary” decisions that “marred the match” and “profoundly influenced the course of the game and the final result.”
That result was a devastating one for Haiti, who badly needed to get something out of their meeting with Scotland, before they complete their Group C fixtures by facing Brazil and then Morocco.
Speaking after the match, Haiti captain Johny Placide was furious over the standard of officiating in the game. The veteran goalkeeper was especially troubled that his side’s two penalty appeals for Grant Hanley handballs were not overturned by VAR.
Placide declared: “We waited for VAR to intervene, we waited for explanations, but nothing came. “As players, we dedicate our lives to this competition, so naturally we want clarity.”
“Supporters Must Be Heard” States Viral Petition
Apparently, the more than 150,000 fans to have signed the petition also want that same clarification. In stating their goals for the petition, organisers insisted that Ghorbal and his officiating team be stood down pending an investigation to avoid any other team having to deal with the same ‘situations’.
“We therefore ask FIFA to review the arbitration of this crucial match and to take appropriate measures to prevent such situations from recurring in the future. The voice of the supporters must be heard, because it embodies the hopes and passions of millions of people.”
FIFA have yet to make any official comment on the petition, which continues to attract support. However, it would be unprecedented if the Scots were to be stripped of their victory.
Scotland return to World Cup action on Friday evening, when they play Morocco in Boston. Haiti then play Brazil in Pittsburgh a few hours later.
