FIFA Dismisses Costa Rica Appeal Quicker than it takes snow to melt, FIFA on Tuesday dismissed Costa Rica's protest of last Friday's match against the United States that was played in a snowstorm in Commerce City, Colo. The U.S. won, 1-0. FIFA received a letter via e-mail and fax from the Costa Rica F.A. on 24 March 2013 with regards to the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier played on 22 March between U.S.A. and Costa Rica. 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 F.A. Therefore, the result of the match played on 22 March stands and is considered as valid. According to those regulations, protests about the condition of the field and markings must be made in writing to the referee before the start of the game by the head of the delegation. If the field should become unplayable during the game, a team captain (in this case Bryan Ruiz) is required to notify the game referee with the captain (Clint Dempsey) of the opposing team present. The protest must be submitted in writing within two hours of the end of the game.