Nigeria–DR Congo Dispute: CAS Appeal Likely if FIFA Rejects Protest

Nigeria–DR Congo Dispute: CAS Appeal Likely if FIFA Rejects Protest

By BSN Sports 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly preparing to escalate its eligibility dispute with the DR Congo national football team to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) should FIFA deliver an unfavourable ruling, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

FIFA is expected to announce its decision on Monday regarding Nigeria’s protest over the alleged fielding of ineligible players during a decisive African World Cup qualifying fixture played in Morocco last November.

At the centre of the complaint are Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe and Stephy Mavididi, who reportedly represented DR Congo during the play-offs. The NFF has questioned whether their switches of international allegiance complied fully with FIFA regulations and whether their documentation met the required standards.

An NFF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the federation submitted what it believes to be compelling documentary evidence to support its position. According to the official, the protest was grounded in verified information rather than conjecture, and the federation remains confident in the strength of its case.

The official added that, if necessary, the NFF would pursue the matter at CAS, sport’s highest judicial authority, in a bid to safeguard the integrity of the qualification process.

Concerns Over Influence

Amid heightened anticipation of FIFA’s decision, some observers have raised concerns about possible behind-the-scenes lobbying. Veron Mosengo-Omba, Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is a Swiss-Congolese national originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and previously worked at FIFA before his appointment in 2021. He is also widely regarded as a close associate of FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

While there is no official evidence of interference, sources claim that influential figures within Congolese and Francophone football circles may be advocating for a decision favourable to DR Congo. No formal complaint of impropriety has been lodged, and neither FIFA nor CAF has commented on such suggestions.

What Is at Stake

Nigeria’s hopes of progressing toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup hinge on the outcome of the case. A ruling in Nigeria’s favour could potentially reopen its qualification pathway, while a dismissal of the protest would likely prompt an appeal to CAS.

With the decision imminent, attention now turns to FIFA’s verdict — one that could either conclude the dispute or set the stage for a protracted legal battle in international sports arbitration.

Source: Daily Mail