FIFA have thrown South Africa and Botswana a lifeline in
their bid to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The world governing body confirmed on Monday that Ethiopia
would be docked three points from their qualifier win over Botswana in early
June, cutting their lead in the pool to two points.
That means both South Africa and Botswana could overhaul
them in the final round of qualifiers with a win when they meet in September,
if Ethiopia trip up against Central African Republic.
“FIFA can confirm that the Ethiopian Football Federation
(EFF) has been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in the preliminary
competition match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil between Botswana and
Ethiopia played on 8 June 2013,” a statement said on Monday.
“The match is declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in
favour of Botswana, with the EFF also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000 after the
FIFA Disciplinary Committee considered the EFF liable for having breached art.
55 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and art. 8 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup
Brazil Regulations.
“The sanction relates to the Ethiopian player Minyahile
Teshome Beyene failing to serve the automatic one-match suspension imposed on
him following two cautions received in two different matches (art. 17 par. 3 of
the FIFA Disciplinary Code).
Beyene picked up yellow cards against South Africa last June
and Botswana in March, but was then fielded again in the next match against The
Zebras when the teams met again last month, despite the fact he should have sat
out a one-match suspension.
Information from MTNfootball.com is used in this report
