The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has deducted 3 points from South Africa on top of a $10,000 fine over fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on March 21. A statement released by FIFA on Monday, September 29, indicates that South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations when they fielded Mokoena agaist Lesotho on March 21. The 28-year-old midfielder had accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers – first against Benin in November 2023 and then against Zimbabwe in June 2024 – which, under FIFA rules, triggered a one-match ban. Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee declared the match in question to have been forfeited by South Africa by a score of 3-0. Lesotho, meanwhile, find their tally bumped up from six points to nine, but will remain in fifth position, two points behind third-placed Nigeria and fourth-placed Rwanda on 11 points each. South Africa will have to beat Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their final two qualifiers in October, provided Benin do not slip up against Amavubi and the Super Eagles, who will have to win both of their remaining matches and hope Bafana slip up in either or both of their fixtures. SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 (Rwf approx Rwf 15 million) to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning. The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have 10 days in which to request a motivated decision. The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
