Overview
- The Nigerian Football Federation has formally protested to FIFA over DR Congo’s use of players in World Cup qualifying.
- Nigeria alleges that between six and nine DR Congo players born in Europe did not renounce their European passports as required by Congolese law before representing the team.
- FIFA had cleared the players because they held Congolese passports, a standard that differs from Congo’s ban on dual citizenship.
- NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi says FIFA was misled by documentation and describes the clearances as fraudulent.
- ESPN reports that FIFA is examining the complaint with a decision expected before March, potentially affecting DR Congo’s place in the playoff against the winner of New Caledonia vs. Jamaica.