Sports
FIFA sanction NFF for fielding ineligible player against Algeria
World football governing body, FIFA has punished Nigeria for using an ineligible player in the final World Cup qualifier against Algeria in November.
The clash which originally ended 1-1 has now been turned to a 3-0 win in favour of Algeria.
According to FIFA, Nigeria violated article 8 of the Regulations of the 2018 World Cup Russia and article 55 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code for featuring defender Shehu Abdullahi who was ineligible for the encounter.
Abdullahi played 90 minutes against Algeria even though he should have been suspended for picking up yellow cards in two previous qualifiers.
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He was cautioned in the 1-0 win over the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Uyo in October, having already been shown a yellow card in the first leg of the tie against Swaziland in November 2015.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has also been fined US$6,000 for the oversight.
Despite the sanction, Nigeria still finish top of Group B but with 13 points instead of 14 while Algeria’s total at the bottom is now four instead of 2 points.
The Super Eagles will kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia in June 2018, before playing Iceland and later Argentina in the group stage.
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