Why Nigeria, Cape Verde, Three Others Will Drag FIFA To CAS If They Fail To Deduct Three Points from South Africa

Why Nigeria, Cape Verde, Three Others Will Drag FIFA To CAS If They Fail To Deduct Three Points from South Africa

By Admin

A potentially explosive conflict is emerging in international football, as five countries, including Nigeria and Cape Verde, are considering taking FIFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if the organization does not deduct three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, reports OwnGoalNigeria.

The dispute revolves around South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in a World Cup qualifier, where Theboho Mokoenaplayed despite being suspended for accumulating two yellow cards in previous matches.

Although Lesotho has refrained from submitting a formal protest to FIFA, the five countries, all of which have previously faced similar sanctions, are now demanding action against South Africa.

Nigeria has a particularly strong case, having had three points deducted in 2018 for fielding an ineligible player, Shehu Abdullahi, in a World Cup qualifier against Algeria. Cape Verde also has past experience with sanctions, having been disqualified from the 2013 World Cup qualifiers for fielding an ineligible player.

The other three nations—Togo, Ethiopia, and Equatorial Guinea—have all been penalized by FIFA for similar violations in the past. The five countries are now insisting that FIFA apply the same rule to South Africa and deduct three points from their total.

If FIFA fails to act on their demands, the five countries have warned that they will take the issue to CAS, potentially causing a major scandal for the football governing body.