Ethiopia has acknowledged a significant error in the 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Botswana by fielding a player who should not have played. The president of the Ethiopian football federation has admitted to this mistake, and it could have serious consequences for the team.
Despite qualifying for the final round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers by finishing first in their group ahead of South Africa, FIFA may impose sanctions on Ethiopia for the irregularity. One possible outcome is that FIFA could deduct three points from Ethiopia, potentially leading to their elimination in favor of South Africa.
Even though the Walyas topped their group, the governing body of world football could enforce strict measures due to the violation. In response to a possible sanction, the Ethiopian Federation has stated that it will not appeal, indicating a willingness to accept the consequences of the error.
