An attorney with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) Raymond Hack says FIFA must deduct three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win over Lesotho in the world cup qualifiers in March, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
FIFA usually dock teams three , three goals plus a fine when they field an ineligible player but is yet to take a decision four months after South Africa committed a similar offence.
Speaking on the subject during Soccer Africa, a television show, Hack who was introduced by the host as an expert in cases like this made it clear that the rule must be applied and said the delay by FIFA in punishing South Africa is something that he has never seen before.
He cited example with the recent breach by Grimsby Town in an FA Cup game by Manchester United and the speed at which a decision was reached on the League One side fielding an ineligible player.
When the host of the show tried to say the case might be lacking in substance,.due to the fact that Lesotho didn’t file an appeal and FIFA didn’t notify any of the teams of the players suspended like they usually do. Hack was quick to dismiss it.
Hack said the fact that Lesotho didn’t protest doesn’t mean that South Africa didn’t commit an offence, hence they must be punished for breaching the competition rules. He agreed with ace Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana who was also a guest on the show that when there is a breach technical grounds doesn’t matter.
The former South Africa Football Association (SAFA) chief went as far as saying that they could be an attempt by FIFA to sweep the case under the carpet, which he said could be partially responsible for the delay in making a decision.
