BARBADOS HAS BEEN booted out of the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament and slapped with a fine of nearly $13 000.
The Barbados Football Association (BFA) paid the penalty yesterday for playing an ineligible player in the return leg of their second-round qualifier against Aruba at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex on June 14.
Winger Hadan Holligan had two yellow cards in previous matches and should have missed the game while serving a one-match ban.
Ironically, Holligan suited up for the Bajan Tridents and scored the only goal of the game, giving the home team a 3-0 aggregate after they had won the first leg 2-0 in Aruba on June 10.
A release on FIFA’s website declared that Barbados had forfeited the game and awarded a 3-0 victory to Aruba, who were given the green light to advance to the 12-team third round of CONCACAF qualifying which is scheduled to be played between August 31 and September 8. (AT/EZS)
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