South Africa FA Begin Process to Appeal 3 Points Deduction by FIFA Over Ineligible Player
- South Africa Football Association (SAFA) have confirmed their intention to appeal FIFA's verdict
- The world football governing body disciplinary committee found the country guilty of fielding an ineligible player
- The SAFA have tendered their apologies to fans of Bafana Bafana, promising to win their last two matches
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The South Africa Football Association (SAFA) have concluded to appeal FIFA's decision to sanction the country over fielding an ineligible player during a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
The world governing body, through a statement, indicated that they have awarded a 3-0 win to the Crocodiles of Lesotho in the match that occurred on March 21.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena played against Lesotho despite his two yellow cards against Benin Republic and Zimbabwe. The statement from FIFA read:
Source: Getty Images
"Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0.
"SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning."
South Africa make bold move
South Africa Football Association (SAFA) have disagreed with FIFA over the outcome of their panel.
According to Safa.net, the association pointed out that the decision was made by a single-member panel.
The South Africa football governing body confirmed that they have began process of appealing the point deduction. The statement read:
"As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments.
"The Association confirms that we have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period under FIFA’s disciplinary rules."
Source: Getty Images
SAFA apologies to fans
The South Africa Football Association (SAFA) have tendered their unreserved apologies to Bafana Bafana fans.
According to nigeriafootball, the one-time AFCON winner said the players and technical crew will remain focused in a bid to secure maximum points in their last two matches. It read:
"Despite the outcome, the Association emphasises its continued commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in their qualification campaign.
"The players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to reach this stage, and we remain focused on ensuring they secure maximum points in the matches ahead.
"We apologise to the nation for this administrative oversight and will reflect on the steps to take at the conclusion of our qualifying campaign.
"Finally, we call on all South Africans to rally behind the team during this final and crucial stage of the qualifiers."
South Africa are currently second on the 2026 CAF qualification group C log with 14 points.
Ex-NFF president defends FIFA
Legit.ng reported that a former NFF President claimed that FIFA acted within the rules for stalling in sanctioning South Africa for fielding an ineligible player.
He differed with the case of Nigeria in 2018, claiming that FIFA notified the NFF of Shehu Abdullahi’s ineligibility, but the general secretary missed the mail.
Source: Legit.ng
