FIFA and Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) have
launched an investigation into the behaviour of the Copper Bullets fans during
Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Zambia on Saturday evening, reports ghanasoccernet.com.
Photographs show the Zambia fans displaying a banner,’H.E.
E.C. LUNGU GOD BLESS YOU’ in the stands at the Godswill Akpabio International
Stadium, in support of ‘unpopular’ Zambian president, Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
FIFA does not allow political messages during games, which
means that Zambia could be fined by football’s governing body as a result at
the end of the inquiry.
“However, keeping in mind that the rules need to be applied
in a neutral and fair manner across FIFA’s 211 member associations, the display,
among others, of any political or religious symbol is strictly prohibited.
“In the stadium and on the pitch, there is only room for
sport, nothing else,’’ chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Claudio
Sulser was quoted as saying by Zambian Observer.
It is claimed that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)
were not aware of the behavior of the Zambian fans in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ Manager, Gernot Rohr has revealed
that Alex Iwobi was the only player he introduced against Zambia in a bid to
change tactics in the 1-0 win.
Rohr, who made two other substitutions, admitted the other
changes were made due to injuries to the players who started the game, but that
of Iwobi was planned before the game.
Iwobi who scored the winning goal for Nigeria replaced Moses
Simon, and according to Rohr, he was lucky to have tucked home the winner 16
minutes from full time.
Rohr said, “Onazi had an injury. He started the game very
well. He had an injury, which looks like a hamstring. It’s not easy as we had
to make two changes due to injuries and only one tactical change but they did
well.
“We were very lucky that the player (Iwobi) who came in got
the goal for us. But I believe starting with Simon Moses and bringing in Alex
Iwobi when he was brought on was not so easy for us… but we knew he could make
the difference.”
GUARDIAN
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