FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa
Bermuda v Trinidad & Tobago - 2nd Leg Qualifying Match
The Bermuda Football Association wishes to thank all of Bermuda for the tremendous show of support given to our national team during their 2nd leg World Cup Qualifying Match versus Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday, June 22nd, 2008.
Whilst we are proud of our team during the 2-match series against Trinidad’s Soca Warriors, we are disappointed with the performance of the Match Officials during the 2nd leg match played in Bermuda. However, it is the responsibility of the Bermuda FA to assess and respond to certain accusations that have arisen as a result of the match.
The BFA has received DVD recordings of the match played on Sunday, June 22nd, which have been reviewed by the following persons:
Members of the Technical Committee, Members of the BFA Executive Committee, Technical Director, National Senior Team Coaching Staff, President and General Secretary.
After reviewing the DVD evidence we have concluded the following:
Two Yellow Cards:
The BFA can categorically deny that Trinidadian Player #9 received two yellow cards during the match. Trinidad & Tobago had received two yellow cards during the match, which were given to players #4 and #9 in the 42th minute and 59th minute respectively. Therefore, this is no longer an issue.
Substitution of Bermuda Player:
The DVD recording shows that the Referee stopped the match to award a free kick to Trinidad & Tobago. At the same time, the 4th Official is seen conducting the substitution between Bermuda players Kwame Steede and Jemeiko Jennings. Whilst this sequence of events is a contentious issue, the Bermuda FA has determined that there are no grounds to protest the outcome of the match.
The issue of there being 12 players on the field is of no relevance as it relates to the process of making substitutions. The DVD shows Kwame Steede running off the field of play without hesitation and that Jemeiko Jennings enters the field of play as a natural course of action. There is no intent by the Bermuda players or team officials to circumvent the rules by intentionally placing 12 players on the field of play. In other words, the actions of both players would occur in the natural / normal process of making a substitution.
Next, according to the Laws of the Game under Additional Instructions and Guidelines for Referees with specific reference to Substitution Procedure, we have determined that there was a lack of cooperation between the Referee and the 4th Official in the substitution process. However, with that being said we acknowledge that two components in the substitution process must take place:
The Assistant Referee must signal to the Referee that a substitution has been requested;
The player being substituted receives the Referee’s permission to leave the field of play, unless he is already off the field of play for reasons that comply with the Laws of the Game.
The DVD evidence shows that:
· It is not clear whether or not the Referee acknowledged the substitution and therefore doesn’t gesture to Kwame to leave the field of play;
· The Referee appears unaware that Jemeiko Jennings has entered the field of play and therefore has not given him permission to do so;
· The Referee indicates to the Trinidadian player in the normal run of play to proceed with the free kick.
Basis for Decision not to Protest
The actions above which played a role in the outcome of the match are disappointing. We have determined that the performance of the 4th Official was below acceptable standards for a World Cup match as it relates to the substitution procedures but we do not see any grounds for protesting the outcome of the match.
However, we have decided to send a formal complaint to FIFA regarding the performance of the Referee, Assistant Referee and 4th Official with respect to this matter. In our complaint submission we have also asked for FIFA to indicate what action will be taken regarding this matter.
