Head coach of the senior national team of Benin Republic Gernot Rohr has called on FIFA to deduct three points, three goals from South Africa before the resumption of games in the world cup qualifiers in September, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
South Africa fielded an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena in the 2-0 win over Lesotho. A game he should not have played after picking up two yellow cards in previous games, that should have triggered a one match ban.
FIFA have already communicated the infringement to the football association of South Africa, with an explanation on the penalty which will be a three points, three goals deduction. However they are yet to take a firm stand by making it official.
Rohr who is now in charge of Benin Republic was hit with a similar punishment when his Nigerian team lost three points for fielding a player who was supposed to be suspended in a world cup qualifier in 2018.
He is now leading the call for the same fate to be meted to South Africa, which will throw the group open ahead of the next round of games in September.
“I am calling on FIFA to make themselves clear on the points situation in our 2026 FIFAWorldCup qualifying group, as South Africa used an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier, which means they must lose three points and three goals to the opponent of the said match, Lesotho”, he told veteran Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana from his base in France.
“With the remaining qualifiers set to begin soon, it is imperative, in the interest of fair play, for all the teams in our World Cup qualifying group to know where they legitimately stand, before we start to play.
“I am surprised that FIFA is taking too long to resolve what is a very straightforward matter. It should and must be resolved without further delay.”
Ade Emmanuel
