JUST IN: FIFA Sanctions South Africa for Fielding Ineligible Player in World Cup Qualifier

FIFA has handed South Africa a heavy sanction after the national team fielded an ineligible player during a World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho.

The governing body confirmed on Monday that South Africa’s 2-0 win on March 21 in Polokwane has been overturned, with the result officially awarded as a 3-0 victory to Lesotho. The ruling pushes Bafana Bafana down to second place in Group C of the African qualifiers, now trailing Benin on goal difference. Lesotho, meanwhile, remain in fifth place.

According to FIFA’s disciplinary committee, South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by selecting midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who should have been suspended after receiving yellow cards in previous matches against Benin and Zimbabwe.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536). The body retains the right to appeal the decision to FIFA’s Appeals Committee.