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THE football confederation representing Jamaica, who were defeated by DR Congo in the intercontinental play-off opponents, has issued a strong statement condemning the decision of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) not to expel DR Congo for fielding an ineligible player against Nigeria.
DR Congo defeated Nigeria on penalties to qualify for the international playoff, and Nigeria protested that the central African country fielded an ineligible player, but the protest was dismissed by FIFA.
However, OwnGoalNigeria.com said recent reports by the New York Times confirmed that Nigeria’s protest was indeed valid, and FIFA confirmed that it was dismissed on technical grounds.
While investigating the complaint, FIFA found that Congo had never completed documentation to allow the goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, to switch affiliations after he played for France’s youth teams, according to the documents.
In the Congo case, FIFA officials drew up possible options, including awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing fines, replacing Congo with Nigeria in the playoff against Jamaica, or doing nothing on the grounds that Nigeria had filed its complaint late, the documents show.
In its reaction to the reports, the regional football body said: “CONCACAF takes player eligibility matters very seriously and expects the applicable regulations and procedures to be applied consistently and fairly in all competitions.
“Any concerns regarding player eligibility, particularly those that may affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of one of our member associations, should be thoroughly reviewed and addressed through FIFA’s appropriate governance and disciplinary bodies, in accordance with established regulations and due process.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) was expected to also make a statement soon.
OwnGoalNigeria.com reported that FIFA has confirmed that Nigeria’s protest against DR Congo was indeed valid enough to be given the spot to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff, after Nigeria lost to it on shoot out in the final of the playoff in November last year.
FIFA did not deny any of The Times’ findings, saying only that it dismissed Nigeria’s case on a technicality.
In an email to medium, FIFA said its committees were “autonomous and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them.”
It stressed that its President, Gianni Infantino, had no role in such decisions.
Additional correspondence about the investigation also reviewed by The Times, included details about FIFA’s actions in previous cases that matched publicly known information.
A FIFA legal official not involved in the case confirmed the authenticity of the documents.
Nigeria’s loss to DR Congo had unpalatable consequences for the country’s football, as it led, in part, to the resignation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, and the federation’s entire governing board.
Gusau said he was told that Nigeria’s complaint had been dismissed for technical reasons, but not informed about the finding on the goalkeeper’s eligibility, saying: “They just kept quiet, and they can’t tell anyone, because they know it’s going to be a serious crisis for them.”
He has called for an investigation.
The Times reviewed a document that matched Gusau’s description of FIFA’s response.
The case will also renew attention to Infantino’s regional ties as he fights to keep his job, in which he will most likely need African federations’ support.
