adminCAPE TOWN – Fifa has confirmed that the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in their 2014 Soccer World Cup qualifier against Botswana. The match, which was played on 8 June this year and won 2-1 by Ethiopia, has been declared forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Botswana, giving Bafana Bafana renewed hope of qualifying for next year’s tournament to be held in Brazil.
The Fifa Disciplinary Committee considered the EFF liable for having breached article 55, paragraph 1 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code and article 8 of the 2014 Fifa World Cup 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.
Fifa’s disciplinary committee also fined Ethiopia’s federation 6 000 Swiss francs ($6 348). Ethiopia are now two points ahead of Bafana, who hold a superior goal difference (+4 v +2).
Bafana’s final qualifier will be against Botswana – at home – on 7 September, while Ethiopia will face CAR at a venue to be determined, on the same day.
Meanwhile, The Flames of Malawi will host Mozambique’s Mambas on 6 July as part of activities marking Malawi’s Independence Celebrations at Civo Stadium.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda announced over the weekend that Mozambique’s 25-member squad is expected to jet into Lilongwe on 5 July.
The game will help Malawi prepare for the 2013 Cosafa Cup quarter final match against Zimbabwe on 13 July in Zimbabwe.
Malawi squad is dominated by home based players who are expected in camp.-Supersport.
Online Reporter