By Andrew Warshaw
June 17 – Three African countries — Ethiopia, Togo and Equatorial Guinea — are facing disciplinary proceedings for allegedly fielding ineligible players in recent World Cup qualifiers. According to Fifa, Ethiopia, who on Sunday beat South Africa 2-1 to finish top of their group and seemingly qualify for the decisive playoff round, allegedly broke the rules in their match away to Botswana on June 8, which they also won 2-1.
Togo are being investigated over a player they fielded in the 2-0 win over Cameroon on June 9 while proceedings have also been opened against Equatorial Guinea following a 4-3 win over Cape Verde on March 24. FIFA said that a decision had already been made in the case involving Equatorial Guinea who have apparently appealed.
Fifa rules state any team found guilty of fielding ineligible players “will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match” and if the probe into Ethiopia goes against them, it will represent a massive blow to the Black Lions whilst at the same time hand an unexpected lifeline to South Africa, who have suffered the humiliation of being eliminated from the World Cup just three years after hosting the event but who might now still be able to qualify through the back door with one game remaining. Not since 1986 World Cup hosts Mexico failed to appear at the 1990 finals has a team that staged the World Cup missed the subsequent edition.
Ethiopian Football Federation president Sehilu Gebremariam is still confident his side can progress. “This is shocking news – but the point is that we are still leading the group, we believe that we shall still qualify for the next stage,” he told the BBC. “We are scrutinizing the situation and we will give information to Fifa and to the public.”
Togo and Equatorial Guinea are both out of contention but any sanctions imposed would have serious ramifications for the respective groups too. Cameroon would go one point clear of Libya at the top of their group if they are awarded a win against Togo while Cape Verde would move within two points of Group B leaders Tunisia whom they visit in their final game.
The winners of the 10 groups will take part in two-leg playoffs to decide African’s five representatives in Brazil next year.