The entire nation of Tunisia is anxiously hoping for the disqualification of Cameroon from the 2014 World Cup after their defeat in Yaoundé on November 19 with a score of 1-4. The Eagles of Carthage are contesting the qualification of the Indomitable Lions, specifically targeting Joel Matip and Choupo-Moting for not adhering to naturalization rules.
Both players, born to German mothers, obtained Cameroonian nationality in 2010, and have played for Cameroon since. Tunisia argues that this violates Article 31 of the Cameroonian nationality code, which states that individuals seeking Cameroonian nationality must renounce their original nationality. However, Matip and Choupo-Moting are still registered with the German football federation as German players.
FECAFOOT, the Cameroonian football federation, maintains that both players are in good standing. Despite Tunisia’s appeal, sports lawyer Me Ali Abbes believes the chances of success are slim. He explained on Mosaïque FM that FIFA only considers sporting regulations in matters related to nationality and does not take into account the laws of each country.
It’s worth noting that another appeal file, filed by Burkina Faso against Algeria, was rejected by FIFA on Tuesday.
