FIFA responds on Mabasa's eligibility
The International Football Association (FIFA) has confirmed that player Lionel Mabasi, the goalkeeper for the Democratic Republic of the Congo national team, was eligible to participate in the 2026 World Cup matches and Africa qualifiers, after denying any issues regarding his eligibility. This statement responds to reports by The New York Times and Le Monde, which claimed that Mabasi violated procedures for changing his international eligibility when participating in qualifying matches, especially since his most recent appearance was after representing France's Under-17 team. FIFA clarified that the Disciplinary Committee dealt with a complaint from the Nigerian Football Federation and decided not to accept it, and that the decision is final. It also emphasized that there was no intervention from the FIFA President. Mabasi played in four matches during the tournament, including games against Portugal and England, where he delivered notable performances. Although sanctions for losing matches due to player ineligibility had previously altered the course of the qualifiers, FIFA’s current stance confirms that Mabasi’s eligibility remains valid for the current competitions.
تنويه: هذا ملخص تم إنشاؤه بواسطة الذكاء الاصطناعي
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