Nigeria Considers Legal Action Against FIFA Over Player Eligibility
Nigeria is contemplating legal action against FIFA for compensation following allegations that DR Congo fielded an ineligible player, goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, during the qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup. A senior official from Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) stated that FIFA's legal committee ruled Mpasi ineligible due to his incomplete transfer from France to DR Congo.
Reports from The New York Times and Le Monde indicated that this case was uncovered in March and revealed by the end of May, prior to DR Congo's intercontinental playoff against Jamaica, which they won to secure a World Cup spot. The NSC official mentioned that Nigeria would seriously consider suing FIFA for the economic damages incurred and urged FIFA to re-examine the case, asserting that the new evidence is more recent than Nigeria's initial complaint.
The official emphasized that the matter involves fraud, which does not have a time limit for prosecution.
Plus234Feed summary based on reporting from Federal Character. Read the original report below.
Read full article
Continue on Federal Character
Get the week in one email
Top stories, NPFL results, the naira, every Friday morning. Free, one email a week.
Related Stories
FIFA's Inaction on DR Congo's Player Eligibility Sparks Nigeria's Compensation Bid
FIFA Rejects Nigeria's Protest Over DR Congo's Players
Nigeria's U23 Team to Face DR Congo in Qualifiers
FIFA Confirms No Eligibility Issues for DR Congo's Mpasi
FIFA Rules DR Congo's Mpasi Ineligible for World Cup Play
FIFA Declares DR Congo Player Ineligible, Nigeria's Complaint Dismissed
Get Plus234Feed on messaging apps
Same headlines, delivered where you already scroll.
