SAFA Breaks Silence Over Teboho Mokoena Yellow Card Case
- FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena and SAFA
- The probe concerns Mokoena playing in a match despite being ineligible due to accumulated yellow cards
- SAFA has officially commented on the matter, and both the player and the association face charges before a FIFA Disciplinary Committee
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has finally addressed reports that FIFA has launched an investigation into Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s yellow card incident and has arraigned both Mokoena and SAFA before a Disciplinary Committee.
Source: Getty Images
The controversy centres on a match in March against Lesotho, where Mokoena played despite having accumulated two yellow cards, which should have rendered him ineligible.
A letter dated 15 September, seen by the SABC, confirms that both the player and the association face charges for multiple disciplinary breaches, including fielding an ineligible player.
The matter has been referred to a FIFA Disciplinary Committee, with Mokoena and SAFA given six days to respond.
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SAFA responds, emphasises focus on performance
SAFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lydia Monyepao confirmed in an interview that the association received communication from FIFA regarding the matter on Wednesday, 17 September. She stated that SAFA is preparing a formal response to the Disciplinary Committee, as required.
As seen in the video below:
Monyepao also sought to calm fears over a potential points deduction, stressing that the association remains focused on ensuring Bafana Bafana secure six points in October’s remaining qualifiers.
Source: Twitter
Currently, Bafana lead Group C by three points over Benin. A deduction could level the standings and set up a decisive clash between the two nations in Bloemfontein for the final round for the World Cup qualifiers.
Experts and officials weigh in
Court of Arbitration for Sport attorney Raymond Hack, who is also a former SAFA CEO, weighed in on the controversy:
"The rules are very clear: a player cannot take part if suspended. The responsibility lies with both the team and the player. Somebody dropped the ball. But it’s not just the officials; the player also has a duty. He is a professional, and bringing the team into disrepute is unacceptable."
Meanwhile, Sports Minister, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie also commented on the situation via social media, reminding followers of FIFA’s strict rules and highlighting the potential implications of fielding ineligible players.
Watch the video below:
Past cases in Africa show the seriousness of such breaches. Equatorial Guinea was recently docked six points for a similar violation during World Cup qualifiers, while Congo-Brazzaville faced suspension earlier this year due to third-party interference. Other nations, including Ethiopia and Nigeria, have also faced sanctions for comparable offences.
It is set to be seen how FIFA will deal with the latest one that involves South Africa.
Bafana Bafana move up in latest FIFA rankings
Briefly News previously reported that Bafana Bafana have broken new ground in the latest FIFA ranking after avoiding defeat in their World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria during the last international break.
Bafana Bafana were ranked tenth in the last FIFA ranking, but they’ve now moved up in the new list released by the football governing body.
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Source: Briefly News
