CAF bans ref after controversial Bafana penalty

Cape Town - CAF has slapped a three-month ban on Ghanaian referee Joseph Odartei Lamptey after he awarded South Africa a controversial penalty in their 2018 Soccer World Cup qualifier against Senegal in Polokwane earlier this month.

According to the supersport.com website, the 42-year-old Lamptey will as a result miss out on the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where he was lined up to officiate.

Thulani Hlatshwayo converted the penalty in the 43rd minute, before Thulani Serero later doubled the home side’s lead as Bafana Bafana won 2-1.

CAF has stated that Lamptey has been suspended for “poor performance” which entailed “awarding a wrong penalty for a handball despite the fact that the ball never touched the hand of the player."