Editor
It has been reported that one of the technical grounds on which FIFA dismissed Nigeria’s protest against DR Congo for fielding an ineligible player in the World Cup qualifiers was that the email address they used to send the petition was incorrect.
DR Congo defeated Nigeria to book a place in the intercontinental playoff, winning 4-3 on penalties after both teams stayed tied 1-1 after extra time.
According to the New York Times, FIFA discovered that Nigeria’s petition against Lionel Mpasi, who was in goal in the playoff final, didn’t fulfill the requirements of his nationality switch from France to Congo before taking part in the game.
However, they dismissed Nigeria’s appeal by Nigeria on what they termed technical grounds following the late filing of the case by Nigeria. A bogus claim that has now put them under intense scrutiny from the world at large.
According to a highly placed source at the National Sports Commission (NSC), FIFA cited the fact that the petition was sent to the General Secretary rather than the legal portal as part of the technical ground on which it was dismissed.
A laughable claim because all petitions and correspondence are first and foremost routed to the GS, who most times reply nations and gives directions on where complaints should be forwarded to.
Another ground was that it was filed late. A lame excuse because doing the right thing after an infraction of such magnitude should not be time-barred.
