SAFA's Appeal Fallout Exposes Rifts. Image credit: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images.
(The Post News) – When the South African Football Association (SAFA) decided to make an appeal against FIFA’s yellow-card punishment for playing an illegal player throughout a World Cup qualifier, they found themselves in hot trouble.
“Darned whichever they do, doomed if they don’t” was the sentiment that surrounded SAFA after this choice, which sparked an eruption of condemnation.
While some believe the appeal wastes money that could be used to advance South African football, others support Its right to contest what they see to be an unduly severe punishment. Authorities are nevertheless doubtful of the appeal’s prospects, pointing out that FIFA seldom reverses its own decisions.
In a 2025 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho on March 21, Bafana Bafana unintentionally featured midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who ought to have been suspended, which is the source of the issue. Mokoena received yellow cards on November 18, 2023, and June 11, 2024. These infractions should have automatically resulted in a one-match ban, which would have applied during the encounter against Lesotho 283 days later.
SAFA saw Mokoena’s error and benched him for the encounter on March 25. With no official protest from other nations, FIFA’s sanction was applied ex officio, and the association now claims that this lacks procedural justice.
SAFA also raises concerns about FIFA’s inaction, pointing out that the decision was made over a year after the initial yellow card infraction. They contend that this delay adds complexity to the matter and bolsters their assertion that the lack of complaints ought to be taken seriously.
Critics counter that SAFA is exploiting the appeal to divert attention away from more serious issues facing South African football. They contend that youth development and governance change would be a better use of the funds and attention currently allocated to court cases.
SAFA is upset not only with the ruling but also with FIFA’s handling of it. SAFA has asked for an explanation on what it perceives to be a prolonged and confusing judgment and has requested greater transparency from FIFA as the appeal process progresses.
It is steadfast in the search for justice, but the mounting criticism begs the challenging question.
About the Author
