Former Maccabi Haifa Defender Loses World Cup Goal After FIFA Review

Abdoulaye Seck, the former Maccabi Haifa defender, thought he had put Senegal ahead against Iraq on Friday in a 5-0 win, and the goal was initially credited to him. After a review by the technical committee, however, the decision was changed and Seck was officially left with an assist, not a goal.

The key issue was the final touch on the scoring move. Seck headed in a corner, but the ball brushed Habib Diarra before going in. On that basis, the goal was awarded to Diarra, even though some argued Seck should have been given the strike. In Africa, critics said, “He headed it, it is his goal. The match committee did not bother to correct its mistake even after four hours. As if they do not care.” FIFA’s official site also described it as “the faintest touch, but a touch.”

A different angle of the play showed that Diarra, normally a Sunderland player and making his first start, did in fact make enough contact to count as the scorer. The article concluded that once the ball touched the ground and then Diarra, the play was correctly ruled a Diarra goal and a Seck assist.

Seck, who is now a free agent after leaving Maccabi Haifa, was booked and substituted in the 58th minute for Pape Siss. His goal and encouraging performance could improve his standing going forward. Senegal’s advance to the round of 32 also brings Maccabi Haifa an additional payment of about $29,000. If Senegal are eliminated by England, the club will receive a total of $219,000 for the departed defender under FIFA’s bonus system, which pays $7,300 for each of the player’s two previous seasons at the club.