Fans rage as NSC ponder FIFA compensation over DR Congo breach

Nigeria are exploring options, including seeking compensation from FIFA, after fresh revelations that the governing body’s legal officials had identified an eligibility breach involving DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with the National Sports Commission insisting the Super Eagles have been vindicated, The PUNCH reports.

The NSC’s position follows reports by The New York Times and Le Monde that FIFA lawyers found that Mpasi had not completed the required process to switch his international allegiance from France, where he had represented the youth teams.

Despite the finding, FIFA took no disciplinary action against DR Congo, who went on to defeat Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off and qualify for the World Cup.

An NSC official told ESPN that Nigeria could seek compensation for the financial and sporting losses resulting from missing the tournament.

“Nothing has been decided yet, but we will seriously consider seeking compensation from FIFA for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria,” the official said.

“The revenue that the Super Eagles and the NFF would have received from participating at the World Cup, the exposure that players would have got, transfers, the sponsorship fees, even the boost to the Nigerian economy.

“We are exploring all our options as a country and nothing is off the table.”

Nigeria had lodged a complaint with FIFA after DR Congo eliminated the Super Eagles in the African play-off final in November, winning 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

The NFF’s initial complaint raised wider concerns over the eligibility of several DR Congo players. The latest revelations, however, centre on Mpasi, who reportedly had not completed his change of association from France.

According to documents reviewed by The New York Times, FIFA officials considered several options, including awarding Nigeria the win, imposing financial sanctions or replacing DR Congo with Nigeria in the play-off against Jamaica. The case was ultimately dismissed on a technicality.

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The NSC now wants FIFA to reopen the case, arguing that the new evidence goes beyond the issue of whether Nigeria’s original complaint was properly filed.

“Nigeria has been vindicated,” the official said. “When we said we had written a petition to FIFA, people accused us of all sorts of things. I think this has proven that we were correct that DRC fielded ineligible players.”

The official also argued that FIFA should act on the eligibility issue regardless of the timing of Nigeria’s complaint, saying, “Nigeria will be seeking for FIFA to review the case because the case is about fraud and fraud does not have a time limit for punishment.”

The development has sparked anger among Nigerian fans, with some questioning both FIFA’s handling of the case and the NFF’s response.

“What is going on? CAF, medicine after death, apologizing to Nigeria after the loss to Guinea Bissau due to bad pitch. FIFA, medicine after death after we have missed out of the last World Cup. Blame Nigeria sha for failing to win those games,” @Idowu316 wrote.

Another user @BlingzNew added, “It’s obvious they did and we all knew it but Nigeria don’t even deserve to be at the worldcup especially with the kind of haram rubbish we’re playing.”

Blaming the country’s football administration, @BAAFRICAA wrote, “It’s because we have a weak FA, they should have sued FIFA but they let It slide.”

Another supporter, @seyi356, said, “It’s about the NFF doing the right thing at the right time as FIFA won’t just do that for any FA.”

Nigeria’s renewed push now puts FIFA under pressure to explain how an eligibility issue reportedly identified by its own legal officials was handled and whether the DR Congo case should be reviewed.