A high ranking member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says FIFA has caused confusion in the football house with the manner which they are handling the protest against DR Congo for fielding ineligible players in the world cup playoff win over Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Nigeria are protesting that around seven members of the team of DR Congo who played in the game against Nigeria, that handed them the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff are in breach of the requirements to be citizens of DR Congo.
For one to be a citizen of Congo, you must rescind your other nationality to get a passport, but the players in question are still holding bonafide citizens of other countries. A clear violation of the constitution of the country.
The protest is hinged on the manner which they got the passport that was submitted by FIFA to be cleared to play, while still holding passports of another country.
” I can’t tell what is going on and it’s the same for all of us in the board of the NFF at the moment. FIFA hasn’t officially charged DR Congo with any infraction. So it’s a whole lot of confusion down here”, he said.
He however said a ruling is expected next month before the playoff in March, confirming that the NFF will no doubt lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) if they don’t get justice from FIFA.
” If we don’t get the justice that we expect, then CAS will be the next stop. That I can assure you”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
