Algeria have accused Gambian referee Bakary Gassama of “scandalous” decisions that “distorted” the result of their World Cup play-off second leg against Cameroon. 

The North Africans were beaten on away goals after the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon won 2-1 in extra-time in Blida on Tuesday.

Algeria held a 1-0 advantage going into the second leg, before Eric Choupo-Moting’s first half goal for Cameroon took the game to extra-time.

Ahmed Touba thought he had sent the North Africans to Qatar with his header in the 118th minute.

But Karl Toko Ekambi netted in the fourth minute of stoppage time to beat Algeria, who will miss a second consecutive World Cup.

Algeria striker Islam Slimani had two goals ruled out in the match, one in the second half for offside and another in extra-time following the intervention of VAR.

Gambian referee Bakary Gassama initially awarded a goal in the 98th minute but then disallowed Slimani’s effort for handball after being told to check the pitchside monitor.

Algeria blamed Gassama’s refereeing for missing out of the World Cup and have now demanded a replay in a letter 

to FIFA. 

“FAF officially lodges an appeal with Fifa against the scandalous arbitration which distorted the result of the match. 

“We are determined to use all the legally permitted votes to have their rights restored and to replay the match under conditions guaranteeing the honesty and partiality of the arbitration,” a statement from the Algerian Football Federation said.