The recent deduction of three points from South Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign has stirred heated conversations across the continent. Bafana Bafana thought they had secured a vital 2–0 win against Lesotho, but FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee decided otherwise. In their ruling, the match result was annulled, Lesotho was awarded a 3–0 victory, and the South African Football Association (SAFA) was fined. The reason was deceptively simple: an ineligible player was fielded.
What “Ineligible Player” Really Means
Ineligibility in this context means that a player who should have been suspended ended up playing. According to the FIFA Disciplinary Code, when a player accumulates a certain number of yellow cards in the same competition, “they are automatically suspended from the next match.” That suspension is not optional, it does not depend on FIFA sending a reminder, and it is binding the moment the threshold is reached. In South Africa’s case, midfielder Teboho Mokoena had two cautions on record, which triggered a one-match ban. He nevertheless played against Lesotho, which amounted to a breach of the Code.
Why the sanction is a deduction of points (not just a fine)
The FDC gives FIFA broad powers to choose sanctions proportionate to the breach. For teams fielding ineligible players the practical effects of the sanction are aimed at restoring the competition’s integrity:
- If a player was ineligible and the match was won because of their participation, FIFA can annul the result and count the match as a forfeit (commonly recorded as 3–0 to the opponent).
- In competitions where table position and points matter (World Cup qualifiers), annulling a win and recording a forfeit directly removes points from the offending team.
- FIFA can also levy fines (SAFA was fined in this case) and issue warnings to the player.
So, deduction of points is the natural competitive remedy — it levels the playing field and ensures teams cannot gain an unfair advantage by using a player who should have been suspended.
The Process Behind the Decision
What often goes unnoticed is the process behind such decisions. FIFA does not act on a whim. First, the potential violation is flagged — by referees, by the opposing association, or even by FIFA’s own disciplinary monitoring. Once suspicion arises, SAFA would have received an official notification through FIFA’s Legal Portal, inviting them to respond. The Committee then reviews evidence, including player records, match reports, and any explanations submitted by the association. Only after this back-and-forth does a formal ruling get delivered. From that moment, the sanction takes effect immediately, unless it is suspended by appeal.
Appeals and the Role of CAS
Appeals themselves are possible, but not simple. The FIFA Code provides for recourse to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). For an appeal to succeed, SAFA would need to show that FIFA either misapplied the law or made a factual or procedural error. CAS does not rehear the match on its merits — it reviews whether FIFA followed its own rules correctly. In practice, overturning such disciplinary rulings is extremely difficult.
Lessons for Federations and Clubs
The wider lesson here is not just for South Africa. Every federation and club must maintain meticulous internal systems to track suspensions. It is not enough to rely on FIFA to send reminders. The Disciplinary Code places the responsibility squarely on the association to ensure that an ineligible player never sets foot on the pitch. Failure to do so risks not only fines and embarrassment but the far more damaging loss of points in competitive campaigns.
Competition Integrity Above All
For supporters, the ruling feels like a bureaucratic technicality undermining performance on the pitch. Yet from FIFA’s perspective, it is about safeguarding the integrity of the competition. If one team gains an advantage from fielding a player who should not have been available, even inadvertently, the fairness of the entire tournament is compromised. Deducting points is a way of restoring balance, no matter how harsh it appears.
Common questions people ask (answered simply)
Q: Could SAFA have avoided this?
A: Yes — strict internal checks on player suspension status before naming a matchday squad would have prevented the risk. National associations are responsible for ensuring compliance with suspensions and FIFA’s communications. The FDC even says associations must keep contact details up to date and that associations may be held liable for failures to forward documents.
Q: Why did FIFA wait so long to decide?
A: I can’t speak to the internal timeline, but FIFA’s investigations sometimes take months as they gather match reports, disciplinary history, and written submissions. Delay is often the result of following procedure: collecting evidence, notifying parties, giving them time to respond, and deciding. Note: such delays frequently draw criticism — especially when they materially affect qualification late in the campaign. See Reuters reporting on the timing.
Q: Can SAFA get the decision reversed?
A: They can appeal to CAS. Appeals succeed only when there are strong legal grounds (procedural error, factual error in the disciplinary finding, or misapplication of the law). An appeal is not a simple “ask nicely” — it requires legal argument and supporting evidence. The Code sets deadlines for appeals and outlines that CAS is the next step.
Practical Checklist for Federations and Clubs
- Verify each selected player’s disciplinary status before every match.
- Keep a detailed internal log of cautions and suspensions across competitions.
- Assign a compliance officer to confirm player eligibility before kick-off.
- Respond promptly through the FIFA Legal Portal if notified of a potential breach.
- Prepare thoroughly if appealing to CAS — sloppy documentation won’t survive scrutiny.
Conclusion
South Africa’s case serves as a reminder that in modern football, discipline is not just about what happens on the field but also about rigorous compliance with rules off it. The law is unforgiving when mistakes creep in. If your club, federation, or even you as a player find yourself facing such a disciplinary storm, do not leave it to chance. Feel free to reach out to me at ajojeisrael@africancoachesconnect.com if you need clear legal guidance on navigating FIFA’s disciplinary procedures.
By
Adedeji-Ajoje Israel Femisi
International Sports Lawyer|| FIFA Licensed Agent
Executive Director of Operations
African Coaches Connect