ZURICH, Switzerland, March 26 (UPI) -- Costa Rica's protest about having to play a soccer World Cup qualifier against the United States in the snow has been thrown out, FIFA said Tuesday.
The United States took a 1-0 victory last Friday during a game that was played on a snow-covered field in Colorado. Game officials used a yellow ball to allow for more visibility.
The game was part of the World Cup qualifying process.
Costa Rica formally protested, saying the snow made the field unplayable. FIFA, the international organization that oversees soccer, dismissed the protest Tuesday and let the result stand.
"FIFA has examined the content of the letter and, taking into consideration article 14, paragraph 4 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup regulations, has confirmed that the conditions established in the regulations for an official protest have not been met by the Costa Rica [Football Association]," read a statement on FIFA's official website. "Therefore, the result of the match played on 22 March stands and is considered as valid."
Both teams continue the qualifying process Tuesday with the United States playing at Mexico and Costa Pica playing at home against Jamaica.
