Russia 2018 Word Cup: FIFA Fines Nigeria, Deduct World Cup Qualifier Points

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on Tuesday issued a ruling against Nigeria for fielding an ineligible player in the away match against African counterparts, Algeria. FIFA has ruled that Nigeria will forfeit their 2018 World Cup draw in an away match against Algeria, who have now been declared record winners of the matchup with 3 goals to nothing. The game played by both countries on Nov. 10th 2017 had ended in a 1-1 stalemate prior to FIFA’s ruling on Tuesday. The World football ruling body also added that the decision did not affect the final standings in African Qualifying Competition Group B. Neither would it also affect Nigeria’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup in Russia, as they had finished top of the group, six points ahead of Zambia. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have been fined a sum of N2,179,000 by the World football body for violating article 8 of the Regulations of the 2018 World Cup Russia and article 55 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by fielding Super Eagles defender, Shehu Abdullahi, who was deemed illegible to have played the match on Nov 10th against Algeria, after receiving a caution in two separate matches. The Anorthosis Famagusta defender was supposed to observe a one-match suspension but, failed to do so. This blunder has caused Nigeria a point. The Super Eagles, who finished the Russia 2018 qualifying campaign initially with 14 points have now been brought down to 13 points, and can no longer be considered unbeaten throughout the qualifiers. Featured Image Credit: Premium Times

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This article was first published on 13th December 2017

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