CAPE TOWN –
FIFA’s reticence to dock World Cup points from South Africa for using a defaulter in a March fixture is casting a cloud and creating confusion ahead of this week’s potentially decisive round of African qualifiers.
South Africa, which admits its mistake, erroneously fielded midfielder Tebeho Mokoena in a 2-0 home win over neighbors Lesotho when he should have sat out the World Cup qualifier after two cautions in previous fixtures in Group C.
South Africa was severely embarrassed after belatedly discovering the mistake but insists because its opponents did not protest, it will not lose the three points.
FIFA silence on sanction for errant South Africa a mystery
