FIFA to Award Lesotho 3 Points, 3 Goals After South Africa’s Ineligible Player Blunder

Football ruling body, FIFA is to award Lesotho three points and three goals as a result of the fact that South Africa fielded an ineligible player in their 0-2 win over the World Cup qualifiers .

The decision comes after news broke out that South Africa’s Theboho Mokoena was supposed to be suspended due to picking up two yellow cards in the recent matches, but nevertheless went ahead to play.

According to football lawyer, Jonas Michael, this mistake will deny South Africa a total of three points of the match, and three goals against them. Michael explained a similar incidence in 2018 when Nigeria was beaten by Algeria, who were given three points and three goals after Nigeria fielded an ineligible player, Shehu Abdullahi, in a dead game World Cup qualifiers.

“It is not protest or a time to protest. The law is very clearly spelt out by FIFA, and the penalty is clearly stated,” Michael told OwnGoalNigeria. “If you are South African, just deduct three points from your team’s score. I hope people of Lesotho will do the same as well.”

Michael also warned that South Africa’s attempts to plead technicalities will not protect them from the penalties. “I see quite a few people in South Africa talking about technicalities that will play in their favor. That is not true, and I believe their federation is fully aware of that. They lost that case, and will be sanctioned three goals. A fine will also be slammed on them,” he added.

If the verdict is confirmed, it will be a big blow for the group standings and will leave all teams in the running for a World Cup qualification. The last-placed Zimbabwe will be just four points behind South Africa, who will be at the top with four games left to play. The news will open up the group wide open and make the remaining games even more crucial for all concerned.