Ethiopia stripped of win in World Cup qualifying

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Ethiopia was stripped of three points in World Cup qualifying on Monday for fielding an ineligible player in a game against Botswana, handing South Africa a lifeline for next year's tournament in Brazil.

FIFA said Ethiopia forfeited its 2-1 win in Botswana on June 8 because Minyahile Beyene played in that game when he was suspended for receiving two yellow cards in earlier qualifiers. FIFA has awarded the match to Botswana 3-0.

The sanction means Ethiopia is now only two points ahead of South Africa and three ahead of Botswana and not guaranteed a place in Africa's final playoffs for the World Cup ahead of the final round of Group A games in September.

FIFA's disciplinary committee also fined Ethiopia's federation 6,000 Swiss francs ($6,348).

The Ethiopian Football Federation is unlikely to appeal the punishment having already admitted that Minyahile should not have played in Botswana.

Ethiopia beat South Africa 2-1 at home in its latest game on June 16 and thought then that it had qualified for the 10-team playoffs, which will decide Africa's five countries at the World Cup in Brazil. Ethiopia has never played at the World Cup.

However, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Ethiopia on the same day over Minyahile's eligibility.

South Africa, on eight points, is at home to Botswana in the final round of games on Sept. 6. Ethiopia, now on 10 points, faces an away game against Central African Republic, which could be played in a neutral country because of ongoing unrest in the country.

Botswana, now with seven points, also has an outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs if it beats South Africa and Ethiopia loses to Central African Republic, which cannot qualify.