‘THE BLIND COULD SEE IT!’
JFF to lodge complaint over suspected handball in painful loss to DR Congo
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is to write to the general secretary of FIFA to express discontent with the officials allowing what President Michael Ricketts said was “a blatant handball” that resulted in the men’s senior national team losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the World Cup qualification inter-continental play-off match at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Ricketts told the Jamaica Observer on Friday that he had instructed JFF General Secretary Gregory Daley to write to FIFA and copy the letter to the Concacaf general secretary, outlining what they claim was a miscarriage of justice.
“I don’t want to call it an appeal,” Ricketts said, “but we feel it is important that we register our concern as to us it was such a blatant handball that even the blind could see it.”
DR Congo’s Axel Tuanzebe scored in the 100th minute in the first half of extra time after the teams had played out a 0-0 result in regulation time, guiding the ball home from a corner kick.
But the JFF is contending that the goal should not have been allowed to stand.
DR Congo’s qualification marks their first since they played in the 1974 tournament as Zaire. The defeat kept out Jamaica after their only previous qualification was to the France 1998 edition.
Ricketts said he did not understand how the video assistant referee (VAR) did not see an offence, pointing out that the ball came off Tuanzebe’s hand and not his midriff as was initially assumed.
The JFF president admitted that a replay of the match was not on the cards, given there is no more FIFA window before the start of the World Cup on June 11, and players from both teams had all returned to their clubs which would be reluctant to release them.
Jamaica Observer checks confirmed that as per Rule 12 of the FIFA code there is to be no replay even in a case of refereeing error.
In the qualifying for the 2010 World Cup — before football match officials had the support of VAR technology — France’s Thierry Henry committed a glaring handball against Ireland in a play-off game to give his team a 2-1 win. France progressed and Ireland were left on the outside looking in.
“We hope FIFA will do what is right and proper — we know it is hard to overturn the result after the game has been played,” Ricketts said without elaborating.
“We want them to know how unhappy we are with this unfortunate situation. We are not saying that we were cheated, we think there was a mistake,” he added.
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were forced into the play-offs after failing to qualify directly from the Concacaf final-round qualifying, edged out by Curacao.
Last week, Jamaica defeated Oceania team New Caledonia 1-0 in the semi-final play-off which earned them the right to face DR Congo for a last-chance spot to the 2026 World Cup to be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Jamaica’s Kasey Palmer and DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa vie for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final play-off football match at Akron Stadium in Mexico on March 31, 2026. Photo: AFP
DR Congo’s Arthur Masuaku (left) protects the ball under pressure from Jamaica’s Leon Bailey during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final play-off match at Akron Stadium in Mexico on March 31, 2026. Photo: AFP
RICKETTS… we feel it is important that we register our concern, as to us it was such a blatant handball Photo: Observer file
