FIFA Sanctioned Nigeria For Fielding An Ineligible Player

World football governing body FIFA has sanctioned Nigeria for fielding an ineligible player in Shehu Abdullahi during their final FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers tie against Algeria in Constantine.

Abdullahi who played the entire duration of the game and even gave away the penalty, which Algeria converted to draw 1-1 ‎isn’t eligible for the game after picking up two separate caution in two separate games of the same competition.

Nigeria were fined CHF 6,000 with FIFA also awarding Algeria three points and three goals, which means the game which ended 1-1 is now recorded as 3-0 in favour Algeria.

“The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in the match between Algeria and Nigeria on 10 November 2017.,” according to FIFA statement following the recent meeting of the Disciplinary Committee Tuesday.

However the forfeiture and awarded of three goals and three points to Algeria, has no impact on the ‎final standings of the group as Nigeria have already booked their place for the World Cup after defeating Zambia by a lone goal in Uyo.