Very strange - Sports lawyer gives reasons FIFA may not punish South Africa

Sports attorney and administrator Raymond Hack has expressed concern over FIFA’s delay in ruling on the eligibility of South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who featured against Lesotho in March despite being suspended for accumulating yellow cards.

The incident has thrown Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which includes Nigeria, Benin Republic, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Lesotho, into uncertainty.

A potential points deduction could dramatically alter the group standings.

Speaking on SuperSport, Hack said the situation has raised questions about FIFA’s disciplinary process.

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

He noted that FIFA usually acts swiftly in such cases, citing a recent domestic example in England.

“Why it hasn’t come out yet, only FIFA knows. I find it very strange. You had an instance a couple of weeks ago between Manchester United and Grimsby, where it was found there was an ineligible player, and you got a decision probably four days later.”

Hack suggested that the lack of a formal protest by Lesotho may be complicating FIFA’s response.

“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 said.

However, he argued that even without a protest, FIFA retains the authority to act.

“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.”

If FIFA rules against South Africa, they would lose the three points earned in the Lesotho match, face a 3-0 defeat by default, and pay a fine in line with regulations.

Such a sanction could reshape the qualification battle in Group C, where South Africa currently top the table and Nigeria are fighting to stay in contention.