Costa Rica's Protest of USA Match Rejected by FIFA

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Costa Rica's Protest of USA Match Rejected by FIFA

After the United States defeated Costa Rica 1-0 amidst a Colorado snowstorm on Friday evening, the Costa Rican football association filed an official complaint with FIFA, protesting the result.

On Tuesday morning, FIFA responded to Costa Rica's protestations and dismissed the complaint:




It's difficult to sympathize with Costa Rica on this matter. Both teams were forced to endure the same conditions, and it's hard to imagine the Costa Rican FA lodging a complaint had its team won the match.

According to the Associated Press, Costa Rica's protests were as follows:



Postponing the game would have been tricky, as the international window is tight and the United States travels to Mexico City tonight to face Mexico. Continuing to play the game was the right decision.

Besides, if the United States wants to play in cold weather when it hosts its World Cup qualifiers, it has that right. It's no different than playing in the higher altitude of Mexico City or the searing heat the team faced against Honduras in February.

Sure, neither side was likely thrilled that a snowstorm broke out that evening. It wasn't ideal weather, and there's no arguing that. 

Costa Rica was justified in protesting the match.

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But both teams faced the same weather and playing conditions, and if it happened to give the United States the advantage, so be it. This is World Cup qualifying, not a friendly. Stakes are high here, and every country in the world seeks every advantage it can find when hosting these games.

The United States chose the advantage of a chill in the air against a Central American opponent. It happened to snow.

Costa Rica has to accept that fact now and move on.


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