FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned Equatorial Guinean Football Association and player Emilio Nsue López.
Liberia national football now has three points in the 2026 FIFA World Cup preliminary qualification rounds following disciplinary actions taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee against the Equatorial Guinean Football Association (FEGUIFUT) and player Emilio Nsue López.
The disciplinary measures stem from Nsue’s participation in several matches despite being ineligible.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee, after thorough deliberation, concluded that Nsue’s involvement in these matches breached FIFA regulations, leading to severe repercussions for Equatorial Guinea.
FIFA Disciplinary Committee reviewed the evidence and determined that Nsue participated in two critical matches in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026™ preliminary competition without proper eligibility.
The matches in question were Equatorial Guinea’s fixtures against Namibia on November 15, 2023, and Liberia on November 20, 2023. As a result, the committee declared these matches forfeited, awarding 3-0 victories to both Namibia and Liberia.
Additionally, the sanctions imposed are financial penalty, as FEGUIFUT has been fined CHF 150,000. Equatorial Guinea player Emilio Nsue López has also been banned from participating in any representative matches for any national team for six months.
The forfeiture of the match against Equatorial Guinea is a significant boost for Liberia’s World Cup qualification campaign. The awarded three points enhance Liberia’s standing in the preliminary group stages, bringing new hope and vigor to the team’s aspirations of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA communicated the Disciplinary Committee’s decisions to all parties involved. According to FIFA regulations, the affected parties have ten days to request a motivated decision.
If such a request is made, the detailed findings will be published on FIFA’s official legal website.
Additionally, the decisions are subject to an appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
In Monrovia, the Liberian Football Association (LFA) welcomed the decision, expressing relief and optimism for their World Cup qualification journey. “This decision not only rectifies an injustice but also strengthens our resolve to perform at our best in the remaining qualifiers,” an LFA spokesperson stated.
Conversely, the Equatorial Guinean Football Association has expressed its intent to review the decision thoroughly and consider all available options, including an appeal. “We are disappointed by the committee’s findings and are currently consulting with our legal team to determine our next steps,” a FEGUIFUT representative commented.
This incident underscores the importance of adhering to FIFA’s strict eligibility rules and regulations. The sanctions imposed on Equatorial Guinea serve as a reminder to all football associations about the severe consequences of non-compliance.
FIFA’s decisive action aims to uphold the integrity and fairness of the competition, ensuring a level playing field for all teams involved.
As the preliminary rounds continue, all eyes will be on Liberia to see if they can capitalize on this advantage and move closer to securing a place in the 2026 World Cup.
The next matches will be crucial for their campaign, and the nation’s football fans are rallying behind their team with renewed enthusiasm.
