FIFA Sanctions South African Football Association for Fielding Ineligible Player in World Cup Qualifier

FIFA Sanctions South African Football Association Over Ineligible Player Incident

In a significant development for South African football, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed sanctions on the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on March 21, 2025. This decision has sent shockwaves through the football community, as it not only affects the outcome of the match but also raises questions about the integrity of the qualifying process.

The match, held in Polokwane, initially ended in a 2-0 victory for South Africa. However, due to the breach of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations, the result has now been overturned. The FIFA ruling mandates that South Africa must forfeit the match, resulting in a default score of 3-0 in favor of Lesotho.

In addition to the match forfeiture, SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000 (approximately $10,800), and Mokoena, a 28-year-old midfielder, has received a formal warning. The decision was communicated to the involved parties today, and they have ten days to request a motivated decision, which could be published on FIFA’s legal website. The ruling is also subject to potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.

This incident follows a previous report by TVC, which highlighted that FIFA had opened a disciplinary investigation against South Africa for the same violation. According to a statement from SABC Sport, Mokoena was fielded while under suspension, raising concerns about the adherence to FIFA regulations.

As the dust settles on this controversial ruling, the implications for South African football could be far-reaching. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the ramifications of this decision may reignite discussions about the nation’s chances of qualifying, especially as rival nations, including Nigeria, watch closely.

The football community is now left to ponder the consequences of this ruling and its impact on the future of South African football as they navigate the complexities of international competition.