FIFA bans African reff for life ,

-FIFA bans referee for life over disputed penalty given in World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal

• -Joseph Lamptey awarded South Africa a penalty in their match against Senegal

• -The Ghanaian referee gave it for a non-existent handball by Kalidou Koulibaly
• -Replays showed the ball struck the Senegalese Napoli defender on the knee
• -South Africa scored the penalty and went on to win the World Cup qualifier 2-1

Joseph Lamptey (left) as fourth official during a Rio 2016 Olympics men's quarter-final match

FIFA says it has banned for life the referee who awarded a disputed penalty for South Africa against Senegal in a World Cup qualifying match.

Referee Joseph Lamptey of Ghana gave a penalty for a non-existent handball against Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly. 

Replays clearly showed the ball struck Koulibaly's knee and then dropped to the ground.

South Africa scored the penalty kick to lead 1-0 in the 42nd minute in Polokwane last November. 

The home team went on to beat Senegal 2-1 and are now in second place in the four-team group after two matches - Senegal are third.

Senegal lost 2-1 to South Africa and sit third in their four-team World Cup qualifying group

FIFA says it will give more details of the case 'once the decision becomes final and binding.'

Lamptey can appeal to FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. 

Koulibaly's Senegal have not qualified for the World Cup since Japan/South Korea in 2002 - where they reached the quarter-finals.

Their current manager, former Birmingham and Portsmouth midfielder Aliou Cisse, was part of that squad 15 years ago.

But his country are now in danger of missing out on the World Cup finals yet again, with only the group-winners qualifying for Russia 2018 - an Lamptey's refereeing mistake factor could prove decisive in such a tight group.

senegal sit third in their World Cup Qualifying group - only first place makes it to Russia 2018