THE CHILEAN FA’s vice president has confirmed that the body will not report Peru and Colombia to Fifa over an alleged pact struck to send both teams through World Cup qualifying at the Roja’s expense.
Tuesday saw the South American pair draw 1-1 in their final qualifier in Lima, a result that put Colombia into Russia 2018 automatically while sealing Peru a spot in the inter-continental play-off against New Zealand.
Chile, meanwhile, were sent crashing out of contention as a 3-0 defeat to Conmebol group winners Brazil sealed their fate, prompting coach Juan Antonio Pizzi to resign shortly afterwards.
Footage that emerged later from the pivotal game, however, showed Cafetero captain Radamel Falcao speaking with Peru players while covering his mouth in an apparent bid to thwart observers from understanding the message.
After consulting with Ricardo Gareca on the Inca bench, the hosts proceeded to stroke the ball casually around their area, with neither team making an effort to break a deadlock that sent Chile out of the finals.
Both Falcao and Renato Tapia hinted at a ‘non-aggression pact’ following the game, while stopping short of saying that the draw was agreed upon by each team.
But despite rumours that the ANFP would report both sides to FIFA for manipulating the result, vice-president Andres Fazio Molina confirmed Chile would take no action.
“It is a baseless rumour, no measure will be taken against Peru and Colombia,” the official told Blu Radio.
- Omni
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
