Senegal eliminated from 2018 World Cup due to Fair Play rule (Explanation)

Senegal were eliminated from 2018 World Cup due to Fair Play rule (Explanation)

Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe

Senegal were eliminated from Russia 2018 World cup on the "Fair Play Rule".

The Africans needed to avoid defeat in the match against Colombia but lost 1-0 to a Yeri Mina header. Japan meanwhile lost 1-0 to Poland in the other game also.

Group H came down to the finest of margins. #JPN go through ahead of #SEN, with the Lions of Teranga eliminated on Fair Play points. pic.twitter.com/YCDk0hSWmL

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 28, 2018

Fans were booing both teams in Poland vs Japan game as both teams seemed satisfied with the scores, Japan refused to attack despite been behind against Poland because they knew they had a better fair play score than Senegal.

Talking about fair play, Senegal got knocked out because of more yellow cards (6) than Japan (4). Yellow card is part of the game.

How about play the ball to waste time? This isnt part of the game. This is not a fair play pic.twitter.com/U7nmOPTRBD

— Alamin_Azahar (@AlaminAzahar94) June 28, 2018

The Blue Samurai had -4(four yellow cards) while the Teranga Lions had -6(six yellow cards) which means the former will go through.

Senegal finished leveled on point with Japan, both teams scored the same number of goals, conceded the same number of goals, and had the same goal. Then FIFA thought how do we sort this issue out? We have to eliminate one of them based on their discipline.

Below is FIFA's explanation of the rule:

"Greater number of points obtained regarding fair play conduct (yellow cards = -1, indirect red card (as a result of a second yellow card) = -3, direct red card = -4, yellow card and direct red = -5, with only one of the deductions applied to a player in a single game)."

The rule is the rule though, it is been there for years but players and pundits have not talked about it because it has never been used in the World Cup. Today has opened the eyes of the world to this ridiculous rule.

Football is a contact sport, so eliminating a team based on accumulated cards is weird.

Below are some reactions to Senegal's exit and the fair play rule:

😳 Senegal are the first side in #WorldCup history to be eliminated on Fair Play Points.

🇯🇵 Japan - 4 Yellow Cards
🇸🇳 Senegal - 6 Yellow Cards

😱 Wow. pic.twitter.com/AlgMh4jQNK

— SPORF (@Sporf) June 28, 2018

I feel so sorry for the Senegalese players. ‘Fair Play’ is not a fair way to eliminate a team from the World Cup. Commiserations to Senegal. Can’t imagine 4 years of hard work being undone by yellow cards #WorldCup #COLSEN #JPNPOL #SEN #JPN #COL pic.twitter.com/eKUu8jAMBr

— Karl Beston (@karlbeston) June 28, 2018

Senegal came out of the tournament because of rules of fair play, if one of you watched the last 10 minutes in the game Poland VS Japan, what happened is a shame and scandal to football and has nothing to do with the rules of fair play in football.

— Jamie (@Mahmoud_Jeamy) June 28, 2018

Cant believe Senegal are out due to fair play rules. cruel way of getting knocked out due to cards picked up.

— Akbar Hussain (@akbarh11) June 28, 2018

Senegal out through fair play.
God dey

— ♚ Ugℓу Nαke∂ Gυу 🇳🇬🇬🇧 (@t_riumphant) June 28, 2018

Utterly shameful of #Japan FIFA cannot accept such “ungentlemanly conduct” And to think they put #Senegal out thanks to the Fair Play Rule!!! #WorldCupRussia2018

— George Galloway (@georgegalloway) June 28, 2018

Senegal can feel hard done by (by the 'fair play' rules), but then they were naive too. Basically playing for a draw. At one point Mane was showboating with the score 0-0. Another disappointing tournament for African teams. Not one in the second round.

— IG: @Africasacountry (@africasacountry) June 28, 2018

Fair Play points has got to be the worst tie breaker ever. Feel bad for Senegal

— Mickey wants his say (@MickeysView) June 28, 2018