Peru fined for using lasers on All Whites

The use of laser pointers during the second leg of their team's World Cup playoff tie against the All Whites has contributed to the Peruvian Football Association being fined more than $7000 by FIFA.

World's football's global governing body released the latest decisions of its Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday (NZ time), with Peru issued with 12 breaches.

Two of those related to their home-and-away playoff against New Zealand last month, which Peru won 2-0 on aggregate following a 2-0 win in the second leg in Lima.

Peru copped a fine of 7,500 Swiss Francs (NZ$10,900) and a warning for late hand over of their team sheet at the first leg in Wellington on November 11, while a fine of 5000 Swiss Francs (NZ$7260) and a warning was issued for "pitch invasion by media and improper conduct among spectators" for the Lima match five days later.

Images captured during the game in Lima showed a green light flashing on several All Whites, including over the face of goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic, and the use of the lasers drew the ire of some New Zealand fans on social media.

It also came after the All Whites had had to overcome several off-field obstacles on their way to and in the Peruvian capital.

"I think in the end, New Zealand coming to Peru, we were probably not meant to win, giving every single obstacle that was put in our way, from the flight over here, to all the fireworks, to all the jet planes in the day time, to all the people watching our training, to all the bus rides that were slowed down," All Whites coach Anthony Hudson said after the match.

"Everything that you could have done, you did.

"We probably should have stayed in the hotel right next to the Peru national team. That would have helped us, I think."

New Zealand were issued with two breaches by Fifa's Disciplinary Committee, both resulting in warnings.

The first was for a delayed kickoff (first or second half) in the Oceania Nations Cup final against hosts Papua New Guinea in June last year, while the second was for fans throwing paper darts during a World Cup qualifer against the Solomon Islands at North Harbour Stadium in September this year.

 

 

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller