Court stops Botswana deporting Eritrean soccer players

GABORONE, Botswana (AP) A court has stopped the Botswana government deporting 10 players from Eritrea's national football team who have refused to go home following a World Cup qualifier and are claiming asylum.

A court ruled the players could stay temporarily and will have their case heard in December.

The players refused to return to Eritrea and turned themselves over to authorities on Wednesday, a day after their team lost 3-1 to Botswana to be eliminated from World Cup qualifying.

Lawyers say the players are members of the army at home and could face a court martial and treason charges if sent back. Human rights activists say all Eritreans are forced to join the army at 17, supposedly for…