By Victor Kanayo
One month after the 2022 World Cup ended in Qatar, World Football governing body, FIFA, has announced far-reaching sanctions on Uruguay senior men national team for discriminatory and other acts of misconducts displayed against their Ghanaian counterparts.
FIFA in dishing the sanctions on Friday December 27, 2023, named four Uruguay top players -José María Giménez, Fernando Muslera, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godín, who have been suspended from taking part in four internationally organised football matches.
The players involved were also fined, with community service punishments.
According to the FIFA through its website channel, “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has reached its decisions in relation to the various incidents that occurred during and after the FIFA World Cup match between Ghana and Uruguay on 2 December 2022.
“After a thorough analysis of the various factual elements in light of the applicable provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee found that the Uruguayan Football Association was responsible for the discriminatory behaviour of its supporters as well as for the misconduct, offensive behaviour and violation of the principles of fair play of the members of its representative team.
“In addition, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to sanction the Uruguayan players José María Giménez, Fernando Muslera, Edinson Cavani and Diego Godín in relation to their respective established misconduct(s) and/or behaviour(s). In this respect, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed the following sanctions:
“The Uruguayan Football Association – partial stadium closure (the stands behind the goals) at its next FIFA “A” international match as host association and a fine of CHF 50,000
“José María Giménez – a four-match suspension, performance of community football service and a fine of CHF 20,000
“Fernando Muslera – a four-match suspension, performance of community football service and a fine of CHF 20,000
“Edinson Cavani – a one-match suspension, performance of community football service and a fine of CHF 15,000
“Diego Godín – a one-match suspension, performance of community football service and a fine of CHF 15,000
“The aforementioned match suspensions will be served during the next official matches of the representative team of the Uruguayan Football Association. The decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee were notified today to the parties concerned.”
Last year’s mundial happened between November 20 and December 18.
