The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) reportedly sent its petition challenging the eligibility of a Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) player to the wrong email address, with the communication channel cited among the technical grounds for dismissing Nigeria’s protest.
According to a report by OwnGoal Nigeria, citing an unnamed senior official of the National Sports Commission (NSC), FIFA said the petition was sent to the office of its General Secretary instead of the designated legal portal.
The development comes amid renewed scrutiny of FIFA’s handling of Nigeria’s complaint over DR Congo’s use of goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi during the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Nigeria Questions Mpasi’s Eligibility
Nigeria’s protest centred on allegations that DR Congo fielded players who had not completed the necessary requirements to represent the country.
The controversy particularly concerns Mpasi, who previously represented France at youth level. Reports by The New York Times and other international media said FIFA officials had identified concerns about whether he had completed the required process to switch his international allegiance to DR Congo.
Mpasi featured when DR Congo eliminated Nigeria from the African play-off final in November 2025. The match ended 1–1 after extra time before DR Congo won 4–3 on penalties, advancing to the intercontinental play-off.
Nigeria subsequently challenged the eligibility of DR Congo players, but FIFA dismissed its protest on procedural grounds.
NSC Questions FIFA’s Explanation
According to the report, the NSC source said FIFA considered the use of the General Secretary’s email instead of its legal portal one of the reasons for rejecting the petition.
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The source questioned the explanation, arguing that formal correspondence is often routed through the General Secretary’s office before being directed to the appropriate department.
The NSC source also criticised FIFA’s position that Nigeria filed its complaint outside the prescribed deadline, arguing that the seriousness of an alleged eligibility breach warranted consideration.
However, the claim about the specific email channel is attributed to an unnamed NSC source and has not been independently confirmed by FIFA in the reports reviewed.
FIFA’s Handling Of The Case Under Scrutiny
The email controversy follows reports that FIFA’s legal officials had privately raised concerns about Mpasi’s eligibility but that the governing body ultimately rejected Nigeria’s complaint.
According to documents and correspondence reviewed by The New York Times, FIFA considered several possible responses, including awarding the match to Nigeria, imposing sanctions on DR Congo or taking no action because of the timing of Nigeria’s complaint.
FIFA ultimately dismissed the protest on procedural grounds. The organisation has maintained that its disciplinary bodies operate independently and decide cases according to the applicable regulations and the specific facts presented.
Nigeria’s World Cup Hopes Remain Affected
DR Congo’s victory over Nigeria in the African play-off final ended the Super Eagles’ route through that stage of qualification, while the Congolese team subsequently secured a place at the 2026 World Cup.
The dispute has raised questions about how FIFA applies its eligibility rules and complaint procedures, particularly when allegations concern a player’s international clearance.
The latest report about the email address adds another dimension to the controversy, although the specific claim remains attributed to the NSC source.
