The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has launched an appeal against a FIFA Disciplinary Committee decision that rejected its petition accusing DR Congo of fielding ineligible players during their World Cup playoff victory over the Super Eagles.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially commenced an appeal process following the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision to reject its petition regarding alleged player eligibility infractions by DR Congo. The dispute stems from Nigeria’s defeat on penalties to the Congolese side, which secured Africa’s sole ticket for the interconfederational World Cup playoffs, but the NFF has alleged “deceit in clearing players” whose status purportedly contravened citizenship laws.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi stated, “We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition. I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision.” With the interconfederational playoffs scheduled for March 26 to 31, the NFF must file its appeal within 10 days, maintaining the option to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if the FIFA Appeal Committee does not overturn the initial verdict.