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NFF 🇳🇬 petition filed to FIFA over the DR Congo 🇨🇩 case. 👇👇👇

To:
FIFA Disciplinary Committee
Legal & Compliance Division
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)

From:
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)
Abuja,Nigeria.
Date: 10th Dec., 2025

Subject: Formal Complaint Against Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA) for Fielding Ineligible Players – 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifying Playoff

Dear Members of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee,

The Nigeria Football Federation (“NFF”) hereby submits this formal complaint against the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (“FECOFA”) arising from the alleged use of ineligible players by the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DR Congo”) national team in the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Playoff match held on 16 November 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, where DR Congo defeated Nigeria on penalties.

1. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On 16 November 2025, Nigeria’s senior men’s team (“Super Eagles”) faced DR Congo in the final African playoff to determine qualification for the intercontinental playoff stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
DR Congo fielded multiple players (reported between six and nine) whose eligibility to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo is challenged by the NFF due to alleged non-compliance with both domestic nationality requirements and relevant FIFA regulations.

2. BASIS OF COMPLAINT
A. Allegations of Misleading Documentation
The NFF contends that DR Congo submitted documentation to FIFA purporting to establish the eligibility of the contested players. However, evidence before the NFF suggests that several of these players held foreign passports and may not have complied with Congolese nationality laws, which prohibit dual citizenship—a factor foundational to their eligibility under both national and international law.
B. Conflict Between Domestic Law and FIFA Clearances
The NFF acknowledges that FIFA’s Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes ordinarily deem a player eligible to represent a national team when holding the nationality of that country and satisfying related criteria. However, in this instance, the NFF asserts that FIFA’s clearance was granted on the basis of incomplete or misleading information supplied by FECOFA, and therefore FIFA may have been misled in the player-eligibility confirmation process.
C. Integrity of Competition
Fielding players with questionable eligibility undermines the integrity and fairness of the competition as envisaged in Articles 4 and 6 of the FIFA Statutes, which mandate equal opportunity and regulatory compliance by all member associations.

3. LEGAL GROUNDS
The complaint is predicated on alleged violations of:
a. FIFA Statutes & Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes
Particularly those provisions requiring that all documentation provided for player eligibility be complete, accurate, and compliant with both FIFA and pertinent national legal requirements.
b. FIFA Disciplinary Code
For misrepresentation and breaches of sporting integrity, where misleading FIFA authorities on eligibility matters constitutes a punishable offense.

4. EVIDENCE PROVIDED
The NFF attaches the following as supporting evidence:
*Certified copies of passports and nationality documentation of the contested players.
*Documentation of Congolese nationality law showing prohibition of dual citizenship.
*Official correspondence and clearance notices issued by FIFA for the contested players.
*Match sheets reflecting the fielding of the contested players during the playoff.

5. RELIEF SOUGHT
The NFF respectfully requests that FIFA:
Conduct a detailed investigation into the alleged eligibility breaches.
Determine whether the alleged violations warrant sanctions under the FIFA Statutes and Disciplinary Code.
If violations are substantiated:
Award the match to Nigeria or otherwise adjust the result in accordance with FIFA Rules;

Disqualify DR Congo from further participation in the 2026 World Cup qualifying competition;
Impose additional disciplinary sanctions on FECOFA or the players involved, as appropriate.

6. CONCLUSION
This complaint is submitted in good faith with a view to upholding the integrity and fairness of FIFA competitions. The NFF awaits acknowledgment of receipt and further procedural guidance from FIFA.

Yours faithfully,
General Secretary / Legal Officer
Nigeria Football Federation



Congo can't survive this.

I believe FIFA has affirmed DR Congo’s qualification.

izzou:

The irony for that answer off me.

Basilico, It is now 5 days.

[quote author=basilico post=137836626][/quote]It is now 5 days.

afrodoc2:
They should just bring the boys back home. One can only imagine what they and their families have been going through.

I feel a ton of sympathy for their families. I doubt the soldiers will be maltreated while in detention because it could escalate relations and the situation on ground.

I believe Traore wants to use this opportunity to make a strong statement and he has achieved it.

OH Leuven 0-2 Arsenal

Halftime
#WCL

Spy360:
It's like he has admitted guilt. It also doesn't make sense fighting a man like Dangote. Perhaps he begged and was given a condition.

If he used $7m to train his children. Only God knows how much dey other investments

Truth is, this isn't an anomaly in Nigerian government. Most, if not all high ranking Government official or appointee abuse/ divert funds for personal use. This one na because Dangote vex spill the bean.

Again, weak institutions..

Mrviktor:
Who was a bigger what if ?

I don’t think Januzaj was a better talent or is a better player than Greenwood.

Greenwood is being cancelled/ blackballed, otherwise, he should be playing at a bigger club right now.

He is having a spectacular season at Marseille with 11 goals/ 4 assists in 15 games. I actually give him a ton of credit for the way he is fighting for his career.

Someone needs to close eye and take a chance, probably outside England. I’d say PSG..

A40:
Don't ruin the small compliment wey I give am with this 🐐 fallacy

The Broncos are a problem. Picking up Hufanga and Greenlaw from the Niners and the they have the best Corner in the league and DPOY Surtain. There's also this erroneous talk that Bo Nix can't play and they quote nonsense stats to back it up like we don't watch the actual games. Every game I've seen him play he's cooked vs Eagles, Cowboys, Chiefs and now Packers

Make e win that division and carry una past 1st round of playoff, na that time you see me..

They have some studs on that defensive roster. I’d say this about Bo..Sean has a lot to do with how well he is playing. Payton has simplified the offense. He also allows him to express himself.

Cooper Flag!

Amen Thompson does everything well but score the ball. He is slowly developing into an offensive liability for the Rockets. He has had open shots but can’t make buckets or decides to give it up because he is scared of taking shots. He is still young and can develop some offense.

A40:
And shame. Parsons and Mahomes torn ACL.

They will definitely miss parts of next season as well most likely.

Gutted for Parsons. He was coming alive and it’s a big shame we lost him.

A40:
Ehen. This is the Rodgers I want to see.

Hopefully the Patriots or Jags are 5th seed so we can avoid Josh Allen or that Texans defense

The 🐐 doing 🐐 things..

Have you seen that Broncos Orange Rush? Those cats are legit? Sean Payton has those guys playing some of the best defense I have seen in a very long time!

JB’s FT struggles are continue to hold him back. He really needs to work on his FT.

Someone needs to take a chance at Sam Cassel as head-coach.

Ellexy:
Condemnable behaviour but what's the connection between this and yesterday's attack ?

😐😐😐

We call it false equivalence.

I am really disappointed and disgusted that he pulled that.

Ellexy:
So removing hijab is worse than murdering innocent people....

#RIPDeborahYakubu

basilico:
DOGE is not an act of congress. Illegal? You have been taught to think so, I'll change your mind in a minute.
DOGE was created by Obama.
As United States Digital Service (USDS),

Still waiting

Ebukacute:
Reverend, how is the ministry?

Monsignor, since you embarked on your annual sabbatical, Fathers Onukwurunjo, Iwedioku and Onukwube were kidnapped by Senior Man Bello Turji.

They requested for 10M ransom so we used 1st, 2nd and 3rd collections to get the funds.

Senior Man Bello requested that you personally deliver the ransom to them. When are you available to complete the exchange?

6ixT8:
The efficient of treadmill. But why so much disparities in calories?

You need to personalize the stats (Weight, age) to get a more accurate calorie count.

Werey don throw INT.

Ebukacute:
We are back finally.
Abeg make una dey attache pictures to the gbas gbos.

Welcome back Monsignor!

raumdeuter:
Has Ugochukwu decided on the NT to play for

Not yet. He doesn’t have a senior cap for France which makes him eligible but the last I read, Leslie wants to try getting in the French Senior side while Carney is open to SE. Our federation is supposed to be on Leslie’s like today today!

Spy360:
Eze preferably

We can both admit our attack is broken, there is something fundamentally or tactically wrong with it and this has been going on for a while.

Honest question.. How do you think we can resolve it? Honestly I am really worried about it? What are your thoughts?

Nkunku nearly steals it for us

Grandpa Matic hits the floor again shamelessly.

Stand up!!!

Nice one RLC..

CK Milan

No PK. Sassuolo looking for a PK but the ref isn’t buying it

6 minutes added time

Look at grandpa Matic shamelessly hugging the grass

Salaemakers can be annoying I swear. Alaye pass ball, your man was open

This Launriente dey disturb sha. His shot hits the post.