JOHANNESBURG – Ethiopia had three points taken away by FIFA on Monday in World Cup qualifying for fielding an ineligible player in a game against Botswana.
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 only two points ahead of South Africa and three ahead of Botswana. Ethiopia is not guaranteed a place in Africa's final playoffs for the World Cup going into the final round of Group A games in September.
FIFA's disciplinary committee also fined Ethiopia's federation $6,348.
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