Having failed to lodge a formal protest within the required timeframe, the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) is now pinning its hopes on FIFA’s intervention following a controversial incident in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers match between Likuena and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on March 21.
The issue centers around South Africa’s fielding of an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, and LeFA is calling on FIFA to take decisive action to uphold the integrity of the competition.
Mokoena should have been suspended from the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards. According to FIFA’s regulations, any player who receives two yellow cards—whether in a single match or over two separate matches within the same competition—is automatically suspended from their team’s next match.
Mokoena, having met the criteria, was ineligible to play in the game between the two teams.
However, LeFA’s ability to protest the incident was hampered by time constraints. FIFA’s rules state that any protests regarding player eligibility must be submitted to the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours of the match, with a full written report to be sent to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee within 24 hours.
Unfortunately, LeFA missed this critical window and was unable to file the complaint within the prescribed timeframe.
Despite missing the window for an official protest, LeFA has not given up on seeking justice. The association recently sent a formal enquiry letter to FIFA, urging the global governing body to address the situation.
LeFA’s Secretary General, Mokhosi Mohapi, emphasised that the issue goes beyond the eligibility of a single player; it is about enforcing FIFA’s established regulations and ensuring fairness in the competition.
“There is a FIFA regulation that requires a country to initiate a process, but there is another that obligates the competition organisers to enforce automatic suspensions,” Mohapi explained.
“The organisers of the competition are the only body that can impose such suspensions, and we are seeking their intervention to ensure that the rules are enforced properly.”
Mohapi also clarified the strict nature of FIFA’s protest procedures, pointing out that any protest regarding player eligibility must be lodged within tight time limits.
“If a protest is not submitted within the required two-hour window to the match commissioner and the 24 hours to FIFA, it will be disregarded,” he added.
LeFA has emphasised that, as a fully affiliated FIFA member, it is committed to upholding the principles of fair play and ensuring that FIFA’s regulations are applied equally to all teams.
“We are asking FIFA to uphold the principles of fair play consistently, as they have in similar cases in the past,” said Mohapi.
“If FIFA has previously deducted points for similar violations, we trust that they will apply the same approach here.”
Mokhosi echoed these sentiments in a statement, reiterating the association’s stance.
“We are merely asking FIFA to enforce its regulations and maintain consistency in applying its disciplinary measures. As a legitimate member of FIFA, we have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the sport and ensure that fair play is upheld, regardless of who the perpetrator may be.”
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports.
Started working at Newsday in 2021.
has an Associate Degree in Journalism and Media.
