As the wait goes on for FIFA to make clear the decision on South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in the 2-0 world cup qualifiers win over Lesotho, former SAFA chief executive officer Raymond Hack, who is an attorney at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has predicted the verdict, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena who was supposed to be suspended for the game after picking up two yellow cards in previous games, an offence that is usually accompanied with a three points, three goals deduction.
While speaking on the saga, Hack said the football authority in South Africa as well as the players should be blamed for the fiasco which will see them lose three points and three goals.
“It’s very clear, the rules say you cannot play when you have been suspended, the onus is on the team and the player both to know,” said Hack as per KickOff.
The rules are very clear, if the player has been ineligible, they will forfeit the game with a 3-0 scoreline.
“The onus is on the association, the onus is on the player, because they all know it. Somebody dropped the ball. But it’s not just somebody, it’s the player as well. Because the player knows when he’s been booked,” he added.
“You know that when you’ve got so many [yellow cards], you cannot play. The player had a duty – he’s a professional, he’s playing for the national team – ‘I’m bringing the country into disrepute. I’m being dishonest’. That’s the bottom line.”
Ade Emmanuel
