FIFA has dismissed a complaint from Costa Rica over Friday's World Cup qualifier.
FIFA said in a statement Tuesday the Costa Rican football association (Fedefutbol) doesn't meet the requirements of filing a valid protest. The organization said Costa Rica's team captain Bryan Ruiz failed to complain to the referee during the match.
"FIFA has examined the content of the letter and, taking into consideration article 14, paragraph 4 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup regulations, has confirmed that the conditions established in the regulations for an official protest have not been met by the Costa Rica FA," the statement said.
"Therefore, the result of the match played on 22 March stands and is considered as valid."
Costa Rica filed an official protest about Friday's 1-0 loss to the United States in a snowstorm in Colorado.
Ten minutes into the second half, Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto wanted referee Joe Aguilar of El Salvador and match commissioner Victor Daniel of Grenada to suspend the game. U.S. coach Jurgen Lkinsmann made a case for playing on.
After some heated discussion, play continued. Pinto was furious for the during and after the game.
"I asked them to stop. They should suspend the ref," Pinto told Reuters. "It was an embarrassment. It was an insult to Costa Rica and people coming in here."
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