How FIFA Handles Two Similar Cases Like South Africa's Teboho Mokoena

How FIFA Handles Two Similar Cases Like South Africa's Teboho Mokoena

Taking a look at two cases where nations fielded ineligible players in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, much like South Africa did with Teboho Mokoena in their match against Lesotho.

Mokoena received a yellow card during Bafana’s 2-1 win against Benin in their Group C opener in Durban on November 18, 2023, and again during the 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein on June 11, 2024.

Consequently, the Mamelodi Sundowns star in the PSL should have been suspended for Bafana’s 2-0 triumph over Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday. This victory moved Bafana Bafana to the top of Group C with 10 points. Bafana went on to beat Benin in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Tuesday to increase the lead at the top of Group C.

Here are two similar cases and how FIFA has dealt with them.

ETHIOPIA STRIPPED THREE POINTS IN 2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING CAMPAIGN

 In 2013 FIFA deducted three points from Ethiopia in the World Cup qualifying campaign due to their fielding of an ineligible player during a match against Botswana. FIFA declared that Ethiopia forfeited their 2-1 victory in Botswana on June 8, 2013, because Minyahile Beyene played despite being suspended for receiving two yellow cards in earlier qualifiers. As a result, FIFA awarded the match to Botswana with a score of 3-0.

Furthermore, FIFA’s disciplinary committee imposed a fine of US$6,348 on the Ethiopian Football Federation. The federation did not appeal the ruling, acknowledging that Minyahile should not have participated in the game against Botswana. They explained that Minyahile was allowed to play due to an administrative mistake where officials “forgot” about his suspension.

It is also worth noting that FIFA initiated disciplinary proceedings against Ethiopia regarding Minyahile, with Botswana not raising any protest.

NIGERIA PUNISHED DURING 2018 WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN

In November 2017, FIFA punished Nigeria for using an ineligible player in their final World Cup qualifier against Algeria. The match in Constantine originally ended in a 1-1 draw, but that was overturned, and Algeria were awarded a 3-0 win. The sanction, however, did not affect Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, as they had already clinched a place in Russia before the Algeria tie.

Abdullahi Shehu played the entire match against Algeria despite being eligible for suspension due to accumulating yellow cards in two prior qualifiers.

The defender received a caution during the Super Eagles’ 1-0 victory over Zambia, which secured Nigeria’s place in the World Cup in Russia. He was also booked in the first leg of their second-round tie against Swaziland in November 2015.

The Nigerian Football Federation was also fined US$6,000 for this oversight.

BAFANA BAFANA IN A GOOD POSITION

According to the FIFA Disciplinary Code, “if a player receives a caution in two separate matches of the same FIFA competition, they are automatically suspended from the next match.” Furthermore, protests must be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee in writing, outlining the relevant grounds, within 24 hours of the match’s conclusion.

A protest is admissible only if it is based on “the participation of an ineligible player in a match due to that player not fulfilling the criteria established in relevant FIFA regulations.”

Regarding the issue of fielding ineligible players, the FIFA Code states that its judicial body “may impose any appropriate disciplinary measures” when a player is fielded while ineligible.

Even in the worst-case scenario of this debacle, Bafana will still be two points clear at the top and maintain a positive two-goal difference. South Africa has an advantage because the remaining qualifiers will likely be at home.

In September, South Africa play Lesotho, a game likely to be played in South Africa and they host the Super Eagles. Bafana will complete the 2026 campaign with home ties against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. The Warriors are also likely to “host” Bafana on South African soil as they don’t have a CAF-approved stadium.