EXCLUSIVE: SAFA PRESIDENT DANNY JORDAAN: Bafana will not lose ranking points. I can promise you that

Gord's sake: Igesund's response to Spain's 7th sub

UPDATE: Since this story/video (which attracted worldwide attention), FIFA have issued THIS statement: "Fifa can confirm it did not give special dispensation to make up to seven substitutions at the Trinidad & Tobago v England friendly match played on Sunday 1 June 2008.

"The referee of this match confirmed to Fifa that he received no instruction to allow for such a special dispensation, but that it had been a mistake by the referee.
 
"As Fifa has received no official protest regarding this match, it shall be considered as an official match."

SAFA president Danny Jordaan moved swiftly this morning to dispel any doubts about South Africa’s historic win over world champions Spain, insisting: “We will NOT lose rankings points because they used a seventh substitute. I can promise you that.”

Jordaan, talking on my football show BOLLOCKZ! on Ballz visual radio (see video below), said: “It is not Spain’s game, it was not authorised by them, it was authorised by FIFA.

“FIFA recognised this match in terms of their statutes, including displaying the World Cup. Was there a violation of FIFA statutes? Absolutely not. The match commissioner’s report and the referee’s report makes that clear.

“The only issue is, did the referee err? Will FIFA be able to reclassify the match based on that error? Look at history, Maradona’s hand against England, the ref ruled it a goal. Did FIFA take the goal away and make it a practice match? NO!

“In Bloemfontein in 2010, when Frank Lampard’s goal clearly went over the line for England against Germany, did FIFA change that decision and reclassify the game? No.

“And when England played Trinidad and Tobago who used seven substitutes, did they change the game to a practice game? No.  It counted for ranking points. Referee’s error.

“Where is that example when, based on a referee’s decision, a match was reclassified? It has never happened.

“It was a wonderful night for South African football. But we are strange in this country, amongst joy we are looking for pain. FIFA have said nothing, the media took this matter wherever they took it. It’s not going to happen.

“The referee was not entitled to allow that decision (allowing Pep Reina to go in goal as Spain’s seventh sub), the match is recognised by FIFA, by SAFA, by CAF. We have not violated any regulations. In fact, Gordon Igesund clearly demonstrated his displeasure at what he saw as Spain’s breach of agreed rules.

“We are clear. We have complied. We beat Spain 1-0. A referee’s error cannot be the basis for reclassifying a match.”

And with South Africa seeking a replacement for Puma as their kit sponsors, Danny grinned: “Of course, this result is absolutely huge. It’s good news. It has already secured meetings and we will start next week the process of speaking to new sponsors.”

 BOLLOCKZ! my show on www.ballz.co.za, airs every Thursday from 9am. See the Ballz channel on www.YouTube.com for our growing collection of interviews with the big names in South African football.

You can also follow me on www.twitter.com/nealcol for all the latest sports news… and read my “Neal and Pray” column every Tuesday in www.thenewage.co.za.

BOLLOCKZ! is backed by www.topodds.com - have a look at their site for my latest sports betting advice and how we are doing in using @thumperpigeon's R5,000 to make money for the Ball's charity WINGZ OF CHANGE.

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British transfer expert known only as THE MOLE makes his debut on BOLLOCKZ! Guess who he is and WIN the brand new Orlando Pirates shirt!

THE MOLE made his debut on chapter three of BOLLOCKZ! my new football show on www.ballz.co.za this morning. You can listen to our interview by clicking on the arrow above. Mind the mole claws.


With a broad north London accent and a shrewd understanding of the British transfer market, THE MOLE told us: "I don't know if Arsenal really want Luis Suarez from Liverpool with all the baggage he brings. He's got an agent, obviously, who is putting his name around to all and sundry."


The Mole also told us about Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain's possible move to the Gunners from Real Madrid amid suggestions the cash could, ironically, be used by the Spanish giants to fund their bid for Tottenham's Welsh Wizard Gareth Bale.


We also talked about Chelsea's new signing, Phil Neville's elevation to assistant manager at Manchester United under his former Everton boss David Moyes - and the possibility of Wayne Rooney playing in London.


Earlier in the show, I talked to former Orlando Pirates star Mark Fish - dressed in my old 2011 "Treble Winners" Sea Robbers jersey. Mark and I chatted about the old Pirates African conquering side and touched on his ONLY international appearance in the COSAFA Cup in 1998 - a 3-2 extra-time defeat against Namibia in Windhoek.


That Bafana side featured Benni McCarthy, Philemon Masinga and a host of star - but still came a cropper! See our discussion on video below.


Also on BOLLOCKZ yesterday Buccaneers PRO Mickey Modisane promised I would be the FIRST to wear the new "back to black" Pirates jersey on July 16.


I'll swap jerseys to do just that LIVE on the day - but the brand new shirt will go to a lucky reader of my blog IF they can give me the identity of THE MOLE! Simply post your answers to www.twitter.com/nealcol over the next week for a chance to win!


I'll post the Mickey Modisane interview later. The general aim is to build a nationwide head of steam before Pirates renew their Champions League challenge against Congo's AC Leopards at the Orlando Stadium on July 20.

One last blast before the holidays with Ballz visual radio