The South African Football Association (SAFA) has strongly condemned FIFA’s decision to deduct three points from its tally in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, describing the move as unfair and without precedent.
In a statement issued on Monday, the association expressed shock and disappointment, insisting that it was not given the opportunity to defend itself before the disciplinary ruling was handed down.
According to SAFA, the decision was reached by a single member of FIFA’s disciplinary committee and came without a clear explanation or justification. “We are deeply concerned by this development.
It is unprecedented that such a weighty decision was made without affording us the chance to present our legal arguments,” the association noted.
FIFA had earlier confirmed the much-anticipated sanction, cutting South Africa’s total from 17 points.
The ruling has thrown Group standings into uncertainty and sparked debate among fans and stakeholders across the continent.
SAFA stressed that it will continue to pursue all available legal and diplomatic avenues to challenge the ruling, which it says undermines the principles of fair play and natural justice.
“As custodians of South African football, we cannot stand by while decisions of this magnitude are imposed on us without transparency,” the statement added.
The development has cast a shadow over Bafana Bafana’s qualifying campaign and raised questions about FIFA’s disciplinary processes, with analysts warning that the dispute could escalate if not swiftly resolved.