Video: NFF files explosive petition to FIFA, alleges DR Congo fielded fraudulently eligible players in World Cup qualifiers
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has formally petitioned FIFA, accusing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) national team of deploying ineligible players during World Cup qualifiers.
NFF General Secretary Dr Sanusi Mohammed revealed the move while addressing journalists, claiming DRC violated its own nationality regulations despite FIFA’s prior clearance.
Mohammed emphasised that several DRC players hold European passports, which FIFA accepts as proof of eligibility under its statutes.
However, he argued that FIFA was misled, as it does not verify compliance with individual member associations’ rules.
“There are players that got theirs just from taking it. So there is to us what we consider as a breach of that regulation, and that was why we submitted the letter,” he added.
He specifically referenced a player known as “Aaron Wan-Bissaka,” noting, “Wan-Bissaka has a European passport.
There are so many of them that have a European passport. Some French passports, some Dutch passports.”
Mohammed clarified the core dispute, “FIFA regulation says once you have a passport of your country, as far as FIFA is concerned, they’re eligible. That’s why they are cleared by FIFA.
“But our contention is FIFA was deceived into clearing them. What we’re saying is, it was fraudulent.”
The NFF is now awaiting FIFA’s response, which could impact DRC’s standing in the qualifiers.
