The General Secretary (GS) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has confirmed that they filed a protest to FIFA challenging the eligibility of some players who played for Dr Congo in the world cup qualifiers playoff, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Like we exclusively reported yesterday, the NFF protested against six players of the Dr Congo, who played in the final of the world cup qualifiers playoff beating Nigeria to pick the ticket to represent Africa at the Intercontinental playoff next year in Mexico.
Speaking on the matter, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said FIFA were misled by the DR Congo Football Association, during the clearance process for the players to play for them.
“FIFA was deceived into clearing those players because it is not FIFA’s responsibility to interpret or enforce domestic citizenship laws,” Sanusi said in quotes relayed by BSN. “DR Congo law does not permit dual citizenship, yet some of the players involved reportedly hold dual nationality.”
“It is not FIFA’s duty to know the domestic laws of every country,” Sanusi added. “That is why we formally drew FIFA’s attention to the issue and we are now awaiting their verdict.”
If found guilty, Dr Congo will be expelled from the continental playoff with Nigeria who were beaten finalist taking their spot.
