Reports by The New York Times and Le Monde have raised questions about FIFA’s handling of Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi’s eligibility during the country’s World Cup campaign.
The publications cited internal FIFA documents and alleged that Mpasi had not completed the process required to change his national eligibility from France to Congo. The reports further claim that FIFA was aware of the issue before the World Cup but permitted him to continue participating.
Matches involving Mpasi
Mpasi, 32, played in all four of Congo’s World Cup matches, including a 1-1 draw against Portugal. He also appeared in five qualifying matches during the previous year, including Congo’s victory over Jamaica in March.
The reports allege that Mpasi was not eligible under FIFA rules and that Congo could have been required to forfeit matches in which he took part. They further state that defaulting the relevant qualifying results could have allowed Burkina Faso to advance to the African playoffs instead.
Eligibility background
Mpasi was previously a France under-17 international and has family ties to Congo. Congo reached its first World Cup in more than five decades after the qualifying victory over Jamaica.
The case has intensified scrutiny of FIFA’s disciplinary procedures. However, the available reports do not establish that any match results were formally overturned, nor do they indicate that Burkina Faso replaced Congo in the African playoffs.
The supplied information also does not include a response from FIFA or provide details of the specific eligibility rules and documents underlying the allegations.
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