FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for fielding an ineligible player in their final 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Algeria on 10th November 2017.
Nigeria played 24-year-old Anorthosis Famagusta midfielder Abdullahi Shehu who was suspended after receiving a caution in two separate matches in the 1-1 draw.
The world’s football governing body has declared the match to be “fortfeited” and has awarded 3-0 in favor of Algeria with NFF receiving a fine of CHF 6,000.
Nigeria will however keep their World Cup qualification since the incident happened after they had qualified.
“This sanction bears no impact on the finals result of the preliminary competition for the FIFA World Cup since Nigeria had already qualified and Algeria eliminated before the match took place,” FIFA statement reads.
