World Cup: Costa Rica demand US replay over blizzard defeat

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Costa Rican football officials said Saturday they have requested a replay of their snow-hit World Cup qualifying defeat to the United States, insisting the game should have been called off.

Amid farcical scenes in Denver on Friday, Costa Rica slumped to a 1-0 defeat to their CONCACAF rivals in a match which saw both sides labour through a blizzard on a pitch blanketed in thick snow.

"You couldn't see the pitch markings and that is not allowed under the FIFA regulations," manager Rodolfo Villalobos said.

Salvadoran referee Joel Aguilar briefly halted the game in the 55th minute before allowing the match to conclude.

Costa Rica Football Federation vice-president Jorge Hidalgo was quoted by La Nacion newspaper as saying a request had been made to world governing body FIFA to replay the match.

Hidalgo also said referee Aguilar should be suspended.

Hidalgo said a formal protest had been lodged with FIFA, although he indicated he was not optimistic of the appeal being successful.

"We understand it is complicated, but we feel we must protest," he said.

Friday's defeat left Costa Rica at the bottom of the CONCACAF final round qualifying standings while the victory elevated the USA to second in the table.