Sports Lawyer Speaks on South Africa’s 3 Points Deduction As FIFA Gives Verdict on Ineligible Player

• Sports lawyer Raymond Hack has questioned FIFA’s delay in ruling on South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility situation
• Lesotho’s protest to the football governing body could see South Africa lose three points and face sanctions
• The points deduction could put Nigeria, Benin, and Rwanda right back in the qualification fight for the World Cup

Sports lawyer and administrator Raymond Hack has shared his thoughts on FIFA’s delay in ruling on the eligibility of South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena.

The Bafana Bafana star played in March’s World Cup qualifier against Lesotho despite reportedly serving a suspension for accumulated yellow cards.

Speaking on SuperSport, Hack admitted the situation has confused Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“The allegation is that the player was ineligible to play, so he played for Bafana Bafana against Lesotho. Suppose the player is ineligible, and it is found that he is ineligible.

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“In that case, the team is automatically fined, they forfeit the points, and the matter can go to the disciplinary committee,” Hack said.

He also expressed surprise at FIFA’s slow response.

“Why it hasn’t come out yet, only FIFA knows. I find it very strange.”

The role of Lesotho’s protest

Hack suggested that the lack of an immediate formal protest by Lesotho, who are directly affected, may be slowing FIFA’s ruling.

“The first one is that you have to have a protest. Lesotho didn’t protest, but somebody else lodged a complaint afterwards. So whether the disciplinary committee are looking at it on that basis, I can’t tell you at this stage,” he explained.

Still, Hack maintained that FIFA has the authority to act even without a direct protest.

“Even if you find it afterwards, it’s exactly the same as if you commit a crime and you’re not found immediately but later. They have the right to sanction you.”

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Lesotho FA writes FIFA, demands explanation amid calls for sanctions against South Africa

If FIFA rules against South Africa, Bafana Bafana would lose the three points earned in the Lesotho match, suffer a 3-0 defeat by default, and pay a fine under competition regulations.

How Group C could shape up

The potential three-point deduction from South Africa could reshape the Group C table dramatically.

Hugo Broos’ men currently sit top of the group with 17 points from eight games, while Nigeria trail in third place and are desperate to close the gap as the final rounds approach, as seen on FIFA.com.

Benin and Rwanda also remain in contention for the World Cup ticket, meaning a FIFA ruling against South Africa could blow the race wide open.

South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in March has become a pivotal talking point, and Lesotho’s demand for a 3-0 awarded win could see them leapfrog Rwanda into fourth place.

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Top NFF official releases statement over claims that FIFA has cleared South Africa

This would leave Bafana Bafana under intense pressure to win their remaining fixtures to stay ahead of Nigeria and secure automatic qualification.

NFF writes FIFA, demands sanctions

In a related development, Legit.ng reported that the Nigeria Football Federation has sent an official letter to FIFA, demanding that South Africa forfeit three points and three goals in the World Cup qualifiers.

Confirming the NFF’s letter to FIFA, the NFF general secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, noted that there is anxiety among all the teams in the group.

Source: Legit.ng