Emilio Nsue Cleared by FIFA After Long Eligibility Battle
Emilio Nsue, Equatorial Guinea’s top scorer, has been cleared by FIFA to play after a 12-year eligibility conflict. Following a controversial six-month suspension, FIFA reversed its decision due to new evidence proving his citizenship. The outcome significantly impacts Equatorial Guinea’s World Cup qualifying hopes, with calls for the reinstatement of lost points as they prepare for upcoming matches.
Emilio Nsue, Equatorial Guinea’s all-time leading scorer, has been cleared to represent his country by FIFA after a lengthy 12-year eligibility dispute. This comes shortly after he served a controversial six-month suspension. Nsue has been a crucial player for the national team since 2013, notably winning the Golden Boot at AFCON 2024.
In May of the previous year, FIFA determined that Nsue had not been properly cleared to switch his nationality from Spain, despite having already earned 43 caps for Equatorial Guinea. Following this ruling, FIFA imposed a six-month suspension on him, invalidated two World Cup qualifying victories against Namibia and Liberia, and fined the Equatoguinean Football Federation 150,000 Swiss francs (approximately $164,000 or £129,000). This unexpected ruling jeopardized Equatorial Guinea’s aspirations for the World Cup, even though Nsue had previously participated in qualifiers for both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
On a recent Wednesday, FIFA overturned its previous ruling and confirmed Nsue’s eligibility, responding to a renewed request from the Equatoguinean Football Federation (Feguifut). Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha, the president of Feguifut, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating that they had successfully demonstrated Nsue’s eligibility. The reversal followed the emergence of critical evidence, including Equatorial Guinea’s constitution, which grants nationality by birth to those born to a citizen, and Nsue’s old passport from 2004, validating his citizenship before he played for Spain’s youth teams.
The key question remains whether FIFA will restore the six points Equatorial Guinea lost due to their previous sanctions. Before the ruling, they held a strong second position in Group H with nine points from four games. Without those points, their chances for a World Cup appearance were significantly hindered. Ndong Micha is advocating for the return of these points now that Nsue’s eligibility has been reaffirmed.
Nsue is expected to return for the upcoming qualifiers, where Equatorial Guinea will face São Tomé and Príncipe at home, followed by an away match against Namibia. With only the group winner assured of a World Cup spot and four best runners-up advancing to the playoffs, the future of Equatorial Guinea’s World Cup dreams now hinges on FIFA’s decisions regarding the reinstatement of their previously forfeited points.
In conclusion, Emilio Nsue has been reinstated and is now eligible to represent Equatorial Guinea after a prolonged eligibility dispute that lasted over a decade. This decision raises crucial questions about the potential restoration of the six points lost during FIFA sanctions that could impact Equatorial Guinea’s World Cup aspirations. As the team prepares for upcoming qualifiers, the forthcoming actions by FIFA will be pivotal in determining their path forward.
Original Source: www.brila.net
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