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The Super Eagles of Nigeria were dealt with point and cash deductions, but they were lucky to retain their ticket to the biggest soccer event.
FIFA has sanctioned the Nigeria Football Federation for fielding an ineligible player in their World Cup qualifying encounter against Algeria, but it will not affect the country’s participation in Russia next year.
The Super Eagles fielded right-back Abdullahi Shehu - who was on one-match suspension - in their final qualifying clash against the Desert Foxes on November 10 which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee which sat on the matter read, inter alia: “The Nigeria Football Federation is liable for having breached art.55 par.1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and art. 8 of the 2018 Regulations of the FIFA World Cup Russia."
“The match played within the frame of the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia between Algeria and Nigeria on 10 November 2017 is declared to be lost by forfeit by Nigeria (3-0).”
The NFF was also fined the sum of 6,000 Swiss Francs. FIFA had hinted the NFF about the disciplinary proceedings, following the use of defender Abdullahi Shehu in the said match. Shehu had received a yellow card in the match against Zambia in Uyo on 7th October 2017 (the match in which victory guaranteed Nigeria a place in Russia), making it a second for him in the qualifying race, following an earlier yellow card against Swaziland in the preliminary round. Traditionally, yellow cards issued in previous rounds of the qualifying race are canceled going forward, but the principle did not apply to the latest series.
However, the sanction has no significant impact on the three-time African champions’ - who had already sealed qualification prior to the match - participation at the quadrennial event. Also, on the Group B qualification log, there is an insignificant change as Algeria still maintain their position at the base of the log, but now with four points, and Gernot Rohr’s men are unshaken at the summit, but with 13 points, five better than then-close contender Zambia.
Meanwhile, NFF president Amaju Pinnick has directed that an internal probe would be set up and responsible poeople would be dealt with.
“We accept the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to fine the NFF and award the match to Algeria,” Pinnick told NFF media.
“However, this is a grave error, and somebody must be punished. We apologize to Nigerians for this and assure that this will not in any way derail or even distract us in our well-laid plan to ensure that the Super Eagles have a great outing in Russia."
“At the same time, I want to assure that persons responsible for this slip would not be given just a slap on the wrist. We are actually looking at a re-organization of the Technical Department."
“The Technical Committee will henceforth play a serious superintending role on all details, no matter how minute, in technical matters."
“It is important that all committees and departments at the NFF should move at the same pace as the Executive Committee.
