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Fresh details have emerged on why FIFA dismissed Nigeria’s protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo over the eligibility of goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, with a report claiming the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) sent its petition to the wrong email address.
According to various media reports citing a senior source at the National Sports Commission (NSC), FIFA considered the use of the email of its Secretary-General rather than the designated legal portal as one of the technical grounds for rejecting Nigeria’s complaint.
The revelation comes amid renewed controversy over Nigeria’s failed attempt to challenge DR Congo’s use of Mpasi during the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off.
Nigeria lost the decisive African play-off final to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time in Rabat, Morocco, on November 16, 2025. Mpasi played the full 120 minutes.
The NFF subsequently petitioned FIFA over the eligibility of several DR Congo players. In March, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee rejected the petition, prompting the NFF to announce that it had begun an appeal process.
The case returned to the spotlight this week after reports by The New York Times and Le Monde said FIFA’s own legal officials had determined that Mpasi had not completed the required process to switch his international affiliation from France to DR Congo.
Mpasi, who was born in France and represented the country at youth level, had played for DR Congo despite the incomplete nationality-switch documentation, according to the reports. FIFA officials reportedly considered possible sanctions, including awarding Nigeria the match or replacing DR Congo with the Super Eagles in the intercontinental play-off against Jamaica.
However, FIFA ultimately dismissed Nigeria’s complaint on procedural grounds. Reports said one of the grounds was that the petition was filed outside the applicable deadline.
The latest allegation adds another layer to the controversy, with the NSC source claiming the NFF’s submission was also routed to the Secretary-General’s office instead of the legal channel. The claim has not been independently confirmed by FIFA or the NFF.
FIFA has maintained that its Disciplinary Committee is autonomous and makes decisions based on the applicable regulations and facts before it. The governing body also said the disciplinary decision was communicated to the NFF in March and became final after no proper appeal was lodged within the required period.
The controversy has intensified because DR Congo went on to defeat Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off and qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while Nigeria missed the tournament for a second consecutive edition. Nigeria is now considering further action, including a possible compensation claim against FIFA.
