Mamelodi Sundowns avoid FIFA fine after Intercontinental Cup bookings

Mamelodi Sundowns will not face a FIFA financial penalty after three of their players were booked during their opening match in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Teboho Mokoena, Nuno Santos and Brayan Leon were shown yellow cards as Sundowns defeated Al Ahli Saudi FC in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup 10 days ago.

That victory sent the South African side through to the Challenger Cup, which will also serve as the semi-final of the Intercontinental Cup. Paris Saint-Germain are waiting in the final.

FIFA disciplinary rules allow the governing body’s judicial bodies to impose fines for misconduct by players and officials in competitions under its jurisdiction.

A yellow card carries a potential fine of USD10 000 (approximately R164 000), while an indirect red card can result in a USD15 000 (approximately R246 000) penalty. A direct red card is subject to a USD20 000 (approximately R329 000) fine, and team misconduct carries a possible penalty of USD15 000 (approximately R246 000).

However, Sundowns have escaped punishment because the relevant threshold for an additional team fine was not reached.

The FIFA Legal Handbook September 2026 edition states: “Such fine would be imposed in addition to the individual fines in case individual disciplinary sanctions are imposed by the referee on five or more players of the team during the relevant match.”

With only three Sundowns players cautioned against Al Ahli, the club will not be charged under that provision.

Yellow cards wiped from previous competition

Mokoena and Leon have also benefited from Article 8 of the Regulations for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026, which deals with yellow and red cards.

The regulation confirms that “single yellow cards and pending suspensions that could not be served during the confederation’s competition are not carried over to the Intercontinental Cup 2026”.

That means the pair will not carry their previous cautions or any unserved suspension from the confederation competition into Sundowns’ next Intercontinental Cup fixture.

Sundowns’ progression to the Challenger Cup came after their win over Al Ahli Saudi FC in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup. Their next match will determine whether they reach the final against Paris Saint-Germain.