ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopians are angry after the world-football governing body FIFA stripped the East African country of a World Cup qualifier victory after the squad reportedly fielded an ineligible player. "I am shocked and upset and we will protest this decision because it is wrong and unfair," an official within the Ethiopian football association told Bikyanews.com on Monday. Ethiopia were stripped of three points in World Cup qualifying by FIFA 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 their 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 are 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 $6,348. BN
