Soccer-South Africa’s Zwane appeal dismissed, to miss Canada tie


Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - Mexico v South Africa - Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico - June 11, 2026 South Africa's Themba Zwane reacts after being sent off by referee Wilton Sampaio REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

June 25 (Reuters) - ⁠FIFA has dismissed South Africa’s ⁠appeal against a three-match suspension ‌for midfielder Themba Zwane, the country’s football association said on Thursday.

“We are disappointed with ​the outcome of our ⁠appeal because we ⁠strongly believe that the punishment is ⁠far harsher ‌than the offence that Themba is said ⁠to have committed,” the South African Football ​Association ‌said in a statement.

• Zwane ⁠was sanctioned ​by FIFA’s disciplinary committee following a red card in South Africa’s ⁠opening match of the ​2026 World Cup against co-hosts Mexico last week.

• He will complete the ⁠suspension when South Africa face Canada in the last 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday.

• Midfielder Teboho ​Mokoena will return ⁠to contention for that match after ​serving a one-game ban ‌against South Korea.

(Reporting ​by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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