Mathoho fined R70k by Fifa for red card

The Kaizer Chiefs defender had to take an early shower for an off the ball incident when he tackled an opponent on the touch line after the ball was cleared.

Fifa wrote a letter to Safa informing the association about Mathoho’s fine and a two-match suspension.

“Erick Mathoho is regarded as having breached art. 48 par. 1 c) of the Fifa Disciplinary Code by committing an act of unsporting conduct against an opponent in the scope of the match played between the representative teams Cape Verde Islands and South Africa on 1 September 2017 within the frame of the Preliminary Competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

“The player Erick Mathoho is suspended for two matches including the automatic match suspension, which was served in the match played between the representative teams of South Africa and Cape Verde Islands on 5 September 2017. The following match suspension has to be served during the match to be played between the representative teams of South Africa and Burkina Faso, scheduled on 7 October 2017.

“The player is ordered to pay a fine in the amount of CHF 5,000 in accordance with art.10 c) and art. 15 of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee (FDC),” read the letter from Fifa.

Mathoho, who was withdrawn from the squad that will face Burkina Faso for the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier this coming, has apologised for his reckless tackle.

“Words fail me when I think of the incident and the red card itself, but from the bottom of my heart I want to once again apologise for my actions – to the entire Bafana Bafana team and all the football loving fans,” Mathoho was quoted by the Safa website.

“Let me also take this opportunity to wish the team all the best against Burkina Faso in this crucial match. I know it’s not going to be easy but I have confidence that they will get positive results. We did not do well in the last two matches but I believe we will rise again, starting with this upcoming clash. Good luck to all.”