FIFA Sanctions West Ham for Blocking Diafra Sakho’s Participation in CAN 2015
West Ham United has been fined 100,000 Swiss francs (approximately 62.5 million CFA francs) by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee for preventing Diafra Sakho from joining the Senegal national team for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite citing a back injury that was supposed to sideline Sakho for four to six weeks, West Ham fielded the striker in an FA Cup match on January 25, while Senegal was still competing in the tournament. This move violated Article 5 of Annex 1 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, which obliges clubs to release players for official national team duties.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) had referred the case to FIFA, questioning how Sakho could be declared injured for the AFCON yet still play for his club. FIFA’s ruling now stands as a strong reminder to European clubs to honor international call-ups, particularly to competitions like the AFCON, which often face disregard.
This case is a milestone for African federations, asserting their right to call up eligible players and ensuring compliance from clubs globally.
