It is now official: the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee has sanctioned Guinea for fielding ineligible players at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania 2019. The ruling follows an investigation into allegations made by Senegal regarding the eligibility of two Guinean players, Aboubacar Conte and Ahmed Tidiane Keita, who were found to possess two different passports.
The controversy initially arose during the tournament, when Senegal filed a formal complaint questioning the eligibility of the two players. At the time, CAF dismissed the case, allowing Guinea to continue competing. However, new evidence has since emerged, prompting the disciplinary committee to reopen the matter. The evidence included passports used by Conte and Keita during a youth tournament in Japan two years prior, which do not correspond with those registered in CAF’s system for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania. This discrepancy led to the conclusion that both players were ineligible to participate.
As a result of these findings, Guinea, despite having reached the final of the competition, has been excluded from the tournament. Furthermore, the country has been barred from representing Africa at the upcoming U17 World Cup in Brazil and will be prohibited from participating in the next two editions of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations. The disciplinary measures also extend to the players themselves, with Aboubacar Conte and Ahmed Tidiane Keita receiving two-year bans from all football-related activities.
The Guinean Football Federation (Feguifoot) has been fined $100,000 by CAF for its role in the infraction. In addition, the CAF Disciplinary Jury has recommended that the Executive Committee replace Guinea with Senegal for the U17 World Cup, giving the West African nation an unexpected opportunity to compete on the global stage.
In response, Feguifoot has announced that it intends to appeal the decision, describing the ruling as “manifestly erroneous.” The federation argues that the committee did not adequately consider the evidence submitted by Guinea, which, according to Feguifoot, clearly establishes the federation’s legal standing and compliance. The appeal process may delay the final confirmation of Guinea’s exclusion and Senegal’s potential replacement, though the disciplinary committee’s decision currently stands as the official ruling.
This unprecedented sanction highlights CAF’s strict stance on player eligibility and the importance of accurate documentation in youth competitions. Fielding ineligible players is considered a serious offense, as it undermines the integrity of the competition and creates an unfair advantage. By taking decisive action, CAF aims to reinforce the rules governing player registration and eligibility, sending a clear message to all member associations.
In summary, Guinea has been sanctioned for fielding two ineligible players at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, resulting in exclusion from the tournament, disqualification from the U17 World Cup, and bans for the players involved. Feguifoot has been fined and is appealing the decision, while CAF recommends Senegal as Guinea’s replacement for the World Cup. The ruling underscores the critical importance of compliance with CAF regulations in youth football competitions.
