Haiti lost 1-0 to Scotland, but petition organizers contend that \u201cseveral arbitrary\u201d decisions during the match were questionable and warrant an investigation into the referee, Algerian Mustapha Ghorbal.<\/p>\n
The petition launched by L\u2019Union Fait la Force<\/a> from Florida cited \u201ctwo clear penalty shouts\u201d that it said were ignored, including a handball and a reckless tackle in the penalty area.<\/p>\n \u201cA dangerous high boot that should have been a straight red card \u2014 only a yellow was given;\u201d the petition states. \u201cVAR remained silent despite clear errors.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to requesting a formal investigation of the officiating crew, signatories want them suspended from further during the tournament and to publicly matches in this World Cup and to issue a public acknowledge that \u201cHaiti was wronged.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHaiti will not stay silent. The world saw what happened,\u201d the L\u2019Union Fait la Force petition says. \u201cNow FIFA must do what\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n There are at least nine petitions, some with a few dozen signatories and one that is quickly gaining traction with more than 100,000 signatures and launched by James Fleurissaint from Paris. He is described on social media as a Haitian comedian and writer.<\/p>\n Addressed to FIFA, the arbitration commission and all the bodies responsible for guaranteeing the integrity of world football, it argues that several decisions affected the outcome and fair play. More than 81,000 people have signed.<\/p>\n \u201cFootball is more than just a sport. It is a universal language, a symbol of equality, where every nation, regardless of its size or economic power, has the chance to prove its value on the ground,\u201d the petition states in French. \u201cHowever, during the match in question, several arbitrary decisions raised questions. Decisions that, in our opinion, deeply influenced the course of the game and the end result. These events have not only frustrated Haitian players but also all those who believe in honest and respectful play.\u201d<\/p>\n While fans were disappointed in Haiti\u2019s loss, some have noted the improbability of the country\u2019s return to soccer\u2019s biggest stage after 52 year and that players managed to hold their own against a higher ranked team. Still after the match controversy arose after some fans thought Haiti\u2019s men soccer team, Les Grenadiers, were shortchanged.<\/p>\n Still, a number of fans have commented that unlike with other teams, the Haitian players did not complain enough on the handball of the Scottish defender by rushing to the referee and demanding for an intervention.<\/p>\n READ MORE: How a 1974 photograph of a boy with a soccer ball shaped Haiti\u2019s World Cup story<\/a><\/p>\n Fleurissant says the demand is being launched on behalf of \u201csupporters of Haiti, football lovers and defenders of fair play.\u201d \u201cIt is essential that FIFA, in collaboration with the Arbitration Commission, implements a process of reviewing matches where serious challenges are raised. Such a mechanism would ensure that potential errors are identified and corrected, thus protecting the integrity of the sport,\u201d the petition says. \u201cA gesture of transparency on the part of football governing bodies would strengthen public confidence and honor the spirit of the game. \u201cWe therefore ask FIFA to review the arbitration of this crucial match and to take appropriate measures to prevent such situations from recurring in the future. The voice of the supporters must be heard, because it embodies the hopes and passions of millions of people,\u201d it says, inviting all who share the concern to sign on.<\/p>\n Haiti\u2019s next game is against Brazil on Friday in Philadelphia and then Les Grenadiers face Morocco in Atlanta on June 24<\/p>\n This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 10:32 AM.<\/p>\n![\"Haiti's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/MIA_114HaitiFIFAMia13NEWPPP.JPG\" "\\"MIA_114HaitiFIFAMia13NEWPPP.JPG\\"")
Haiti’s soccer team fans reacted as they watched the Haiti vs. Scotland FIFA World Cup game, in Boston, during a game watch party at the Haitian Cultural Center in Little Haiti, on Saturday June 13, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com <\/p>\n