FIFA knowingly allowed an ineligible player to represent DR Congo in a crucial World Cup qualifying match, prompting Nigeria and Jamaica to explore their options, including potential compensation claims.
Eligibility breach in World Cup qualifier
As first reported by The New York Times, FIFA was aware that Congo had not completed the paperwork for goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to switch his international allegiance from France before they played, and beat, Jamaica in a World Cup qualification play-off in March. The issue was formally raised by Nigeria, who had been beaten by Congo in the previous round.
FIFA found the claims of ineligibility to be true but opted against imposing any sanction, such as a fine, or replacing Congo with Nigeria to face Jamaica. FIFA said Nigeria's complaint had been dismissed because it arrived too late, adding that “committees are autonomous and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them.”
Nigeria and Jamaica consider compensation
Now Nigeria and Jamaica are considering their options, having missed out on appearing in the World Cup. “Nothing has been decided yet, but we will seriously consider seeking compensation from FIFA for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria,” an official from the Nigerian National Sports Commission (NSC) told ESPN.
“The revenue that the Super Eagles and the NFF would have received from participating at the World Cup, the exposure that players would have got, transfers, the sponsorship fees, even the boost to the Nigerian economy. We are exploring all our options as a country and nothing is off the table.”
The Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) 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.”
Mpasi's role and Infantino's pressure
Mpasi, 32, was born in France and represented the country of his birth at youth level before switching allegiance to Congo. He started all four of Congo's matches at the World Cup as they made it through Group K by drawing with Portugal and beating Uzbekistan before being knocked out by Harry Kane's two late goals for England in the last 32.
The Le Havre goalkeeper made 12 appearances for French youth teams before switching to Congo. He made his international debut back in 2022 and has 33 caps, despite Congo officials failing to complete the necessary paperwork to ratify his switch.
While FIFA president Gianni Infantino was not personally involved in the decision, it is another example to add to a growing list of issues surrounding the World Cup. Donald Trump's interference in the overturning of Folarin Balogun's red card and Infantino's attempts to sell off stakes in the World Cup have put him under huge pressure to win another term as president. Infantino is desperately trying to cling onto his position at the head of world football's governing body amid a campaign to oust him, led by UEFA. The Swiss is likely to need the support of African nations if he is to head off the wave of ill feeling against him in the FIFA presidential election in March.
