Reports that the president of CAF Patrick Motsepe is behind the delay in FIFA deducting three points and three goals from South Africa, for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 World Cup Qualifiers win over Lesotho has been termed as wide off the mark.
South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena who has picked up two previous bookings and should have been suspended in the game, which contravenes the rule of the tournament for which point and goals deduction is the punishment.
However since March FIFA has only charged South Africa leaving the punishment stalling, with speculations now rife that Motsepe is using his influence to delay the punishment and probably squash the offence.
” It’s the funniest thing I have seen on the internet since morning. How is that even possible? It’s a FIFA tournament so CAF can’t influence anything but I understand because FIFA since the charge to South Africa two months ago hasn’t provided a ruling and it’s sad”, a chieftain of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
” You can understand the frustration from a section of the Nigerian camp because we need clarity going into the next round of games in September. The sooner, the better”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
