US EditionBafana Bafana face Fifa sanction for fielding ineligible player in World Cup qualifier
FIFA charged South African Football Association and midfielder Teboho Mokoena for fielding an ineligible player, risking match forfeiture and point deductions in World Cup qualifiers.
- This week, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the South African Football Association for fielding Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win over Lesotho on March 21, 2025, charging both SAFA and Mokoena for breaching regulations.
- Mokoena had picked up two cautions in the qualifiers, first against Benin Republic and then Zimbabwe, triggering an automatic one-match suspension he should have served.
- In a letter dated September 15, 2025, FIFA told South African Football Association that both SAFA and Teboho Mokoena face charges and the FIFA Disciplinary Committee gave six days to respond, with a deadline of September 22.
- A three-point deduction would reduce South Africa from 17 to 14 points in Group C or result in a forfeiture, handing Lesotho a 3-0 win and moving them from six to nine points.
- Other Group C nations had previously criticised FIFA's delay, while Coach Hugo Broos and his squad face must-win matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October to secure qualification.
24 Articles
24 Articles
The Straits Times
einnews.comSouth Africa face belated World Cup disciplinary action for fielding suspended player
CAPE TOWN - South Africa will face disciplinary proceedings for fielding a suspended player in a World Cup qualifier in March, which will likely see them docked points and put their hopes of advancing to next year’s finals in jeopardy. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Soccer-South Africa face belated World Cup disciplinary action for fielding suspended player
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -South Africa will face disciplinary proceedings for fielding a suspended player in a World Cup qualifier in March, which will likely see them docked points and put their hopes of advancing to next year's finals in jeopardy. Read full story
BAD NEWS: FIFA to strip Bafana of Lesotho win over ineligible Mokoena
FIFA have officially opened an investigation into the ineligibility of midfielder Teboho Mokoena. The 28-year-old midfield maestro was fielded while under suspension in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, which South Africa won 2–0 against Lesotho on 21 March. Before that match, Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers and should have served a one-match ban in that match against the Crocodiles. Bafana could be docked point…
FIFA Opens Investigation into South Africa’s Use of Ineligible Player Teboho Mokoena - TV360 Nigeria
FIFA has finally launched an investigation into South Africa for fielding Teboho Mokoena in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March 2025, despite the midfielder being due for suspension. Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers — against Benin (November 2023) and Zimbabwe (June 2024) — which should have triggered a one-match ban under FIFA rules. After months of pressure and public outcry, SABC Sport confirm…
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