Equatorial Guinea penalized by FIFA for fielding ineligible player Emilio Nsue López in World Cup Qualifiers
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has announced its rulings regarding the cases of the Equatorial Guinean Football Association (FEGUIFUT) and player Emilio Nsue López.
This follows the player’s participation in multiple matches for of the Equatorial Guinea national team, including two in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifications despite being ineligible.
After carefully examining all evidence presented, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has determined that the player was indeed ineligible.
As a result, they have declared the matches in which he played (Equatorial Guinea v. Namibia and Liberia v. Equatorial Guinea on November 15 and 20, 2023, respectively) lost by forfeit for Equatorial Guinea, with a score of 3-0.
Furthermore, the committee has imposed the following penalties: a fine of CHF 150,000 for FEGUIFUT and a six-month ban on the player from participating in any representative team for any association.
The parties involved have been notified of these findings today and, according to the FIFA Disciplinary Code, have ten days to request a detailed explanation.
These decisions are subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
Interestingly, the 2023 AFCON top scorer made his debut for the Nzalang Nacional in 2013 and has achieved 42 international appearances and scored 23 times.
